ANGRY words were exchanged when residents came face to face with the developers behind a proposed giant skip yard in Latchford at a meeting on Tuesday night.

After only 30 minutes, talks broke down when it was revealed that, by law, the application could allow for more than 12,000 lorry movements coming from a five- to 10-mile radius around Latchford, despite the developer agreeing to fix a limit of no more than 3,900, at which point furious residents walked out.

Since plans for the skip yard were announced, communities surrounding the site have expressed their outrage at the prospect of having a waste transfer site at the heart of an already congested area.

It is estimated that the lorries would affect the homes of 7,000 people living in Latchford and a further 13,000 living on feeder roads. A secondary school and two primary schools are also located in close proximity to the site.

Residents from Latchford, Westy, Stockton Heath and Grappenhall united at the meeting, called by the developers, Leigh-based Isherod Skip Hire, to voice their concerns over a huge increase in traffic volume if the proposal goes ahead.

Campaigner David Marshall said: "At the meeting they kept talking about their site and how safe it would be.

"We could see the bedrooms of the houses that overlook the site. The thousands of lorries would be terrible for the whole of south Warrington, but those poor people would have a terrible time."

Latchford councillor Maureen Creaghan said: "Residents were there to protest that they don't want it here.

"These people are adamant that this community is no place for a skip yard. It would be absolutely awful for people living here and those in surrounding areas."

Applicant Nigel Isherwood declined to comment on the breakdown of the meeting. His agent Brian Cook was unavailable for comment as the Guardian went to press.

For the latest update on the campaign to stop the skip yard, call the hotline on 0709 2006376.