PLANS have been submitted for four office blocks on land subject to flooding which also provides a haven for wildlife.
The scheme, submitted by English Partnerships, involves land off Charon Way, on the Gemini Business Park at Westbrook.
Burtonwood and Westbrook Parish Council has lodged objections – but borough planners are recommending the scheme be approved.
The parish council fears increased traffic will have road safety implications, particularly at peak times.
The site is a flat, undeveloped piece of land which has become overgrown. It is separated from nearby houses at Falconers Green by a swathe of mature trees.
Another application has been submitted for a car showroom on the site.
Earlier proposals were withdrawn because of flood risks and drainage issues, but the new applications claim to have addressed these issues.
Planners say the office block nearest to houses would be three storeys high and some 65 metres from the nearest house.
At present, the site attracts a variety of butterflies and moths due to the presence of suitable food plants. Planners say landscaping should provide native planting and nectar sources, such as wildflower meadows.
Bat and bird nesting boxes should also be provided.
But planners point out the site was originally zoned for employment use under the New Town’s Act.
