PLANS seeking permission to build nine homes on vacant greenfield land which sparked objections have been withdrawn.

Proposals were submitted to St Helens Council requesting permission to create the homes on land north of Leyland Green Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield.

The application, drawn up by Indigo consultancy on behalf of the Murphy Group, said the site is "classed as greenfield and has been described as vacant in the St Helens 2017 Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment".

The plans claimed the proposed development will be in keeping with the local character and proposes a mix of dwelling types without detriment to neighbouring amenities".

It added: "There are benefits that can be delivered through the development of these housing proposals such as direct and indirect job creation, and additional residential expenditure as a result of new homes within the settlement".

It also claimed despite the "loss of some greenfield space, the benefits the scheme brings significantly outweigh the loss of the land".

However, the application was met with a few letters of objection from residents.

One said that the "complete open aspect on to green fields" was one of the "main selling points" of moving to the area and that this would be lost.

There were also concerns over a grass verge and hedges and for wildlife in the area.