RESIDENTS in Adlington have formed an action group to fight plans for 300 new homes.

People living near Fairview Farm, are protesting -- not against the proposed development, but against the pressure it will put on an already overburdened sewerage system.

Andy Liput, of Kingslea, said flooding in his area is a serious health hazard. He said: "You will see people putting covers on the manholes to stop raw sewage escaping on to the drives.

"The sewage system cannot cope as it is. What will it be like for us with another 28 homes let alone another 300."

Andy joined the action group at a heated meeting at Adlington Community Centre on Monday where they voiced their concerns.

One woman Beryl Fraser, of Ollerton Street, said: "Before a single brick is laid I would like to know that this sewerage system is safe."

Beryl has three children and four grandchildren. She said: "It is they who I am concerned for. They are the future of this village."

Three potential developers have been invited to make a presentation to the councillors, which must include how they will accommodate the new homes in the current sewerage system. The council has suggested developers may consider putting a storage tank in to hold the sewage during the day and release it during quieter periods.

However residents are angry that it was only four days ago that they were informed of the possibility of storing waste, and demand to know how it will affect the environment.

Mother-of-three Janet Makinson said: "My son is asthmatic. If they are going to have a storage tank, what sort of chemicals will be used?"

Other residents, like Margaret and Helen are concerned that more housing will only compound the problem.

But council officials insist developers will have to prove they can resolve any problems of flooding before permission is granted.

Councillor Steve Holgate, of Adlington town council, said: "The council said that any developer which wants planning permission will have to address any existing problems."

The council is responsible for maintaining the sewerage system on behalf of North West Water. A spokesman for the council's drainage section said: "The system is just not capable of coping with the heavy rainfall."