Controversial plans to build a housing development on a golf course have encountered further opposition.

Halton MP Derek Twigg lent his weight to the campaign against building 255 homes on part of Widnes Golf Course, arguing green space is vital for the community’s health and wellbeing.

In a formal objection, Mr Twigg said: “The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted how important greenspace is to the health and wellbeing of people – both to walk in but also visually and the importance of birdsong and being able to see wildlife.”

Developer Anwyl submitted plans for the development last month, which also involve reducing the golf course to nine holes and fund improvements at Blundells Hill Golf Club, in Rainhill, which has 18 holes.

Widnes Golf Club has said the plans are vital to securing its financial future, and will improve the quality of the course.

But the land is designated as green space in Halton’s local plan, and Mr Twigg said “nothing exceptional” had happened to justify changing this.

He also drew attention to the impact on congestion and oversubscribed schools in the area, saying “400-500 additional vehicles” would add to traffic problems and pollution while additional children would further restrict school options for children in Widnes.

Opposition to the plans has grown since they were formally submitted, with local councillor Andrea Wall spearheading the objections.

The council is understood to have received almost 300 comments on the application in the past month, including two from young children that Cllr Wall has shared on her Facebook page.

One, from an 11-year-old, said: “Some of my friends can’t go high school with me in September because there aren’t enough places. So imagine how an extra 250 houses would affect these places.”

In its application, Anwyl has argued that building on the green space is justified because it will fund improvements that would “significantly enhance” the golf course.

The application also claims the new development will have a “minimal impact” on local roads due to the availability of public transport and pedestrian and cycle routes.

John Grime, managing director of Anwyl Homes Lancashire, previously said: “We understand the sensitivity of this application, but we are working closely with club officials to help make Widnes Golf Club financially self-sufficient and able to take charge at Blundells Hill.

“The existing golf course is privately owned land, inaccessible by the general public. Our plans will provide a way for the golf club to continue, whilst delivering homes for local people which the borough most desperately needs.”