A council is set to hold on to land it originally planned to sell to a financier whose company was embroiled in the Westminster lobbying scandal.

Cheshire West and Chester Council had previously agreed to sell land at Shotwick Park in Sanghall, near Chester, to Lex Greensill; Lex Greensill said he wanted to create a “natural refuge for wildlife” but is now ready to approve plans to turn it into woodland. .

In a report to councillors, the authority said retaining the land would support targets for carbon neutrality by 2045.

Lex Greensill, founder of Greensill Capital, stated that he had decided to withdraw from the plans “for now” and said that the project “has become a dividing point”.

Cheshire West and Chester Council approved plans to sell the land to the financier in February 2021, but this was never completed.

In April of the same year, the deal was paused due to lobbying around Westminster’s firm.

Greensill Capital collapsed in Cheshire a few weeks ago with the loss of more than 300 jobs.

In council documents, Cheshire West and Chester Council told Mr Greensill it had paused the sale process and “further assurances are sought from the buyer regarding their commitment to deliver on the stated intentions for this land and to engage with the local community”.

He added that a number of changes have been made since the decision was made three years ago, including a new district plan and a commitment to carbon neutrality.

In a statement on his website, Mr Greensill said plans to buy the site were “complex”.

“Meanwhile, I realize that despite the support of so many of you, some voices have been left out of the process.

“This project, which was always intended to bring us together and improve environmental stewardship, has unfortunately become a point of division. As a family, we do not want any conflict within the community we care so much about.

“My hope is that one day Shotwick Park Estate will be a haven of thriving nature and biodiversity that we can all enjoy and be proud of. I sincerely hope that Cheshire West and Chester Council can find a way forward that will resonate with everyone. ”

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s cabinet will discuss the plans at a later date.