PLANNING bosses have given the go-ahead for four “affordable” homes on a green field site – despite opposition from local residents and councillors.
The two storey properties can now be built by housing group Torus on land at Mitchell Avenue, Burtonwood.
The scheme involves the demolition of existing garages on the site.
Borough councillors Alex Abby and Cathy Mitchell opposed the scheme because of concerns that the site would have an unacceptable access and is too close to existing dwellings.
But planning officers recommended approval when the scheme was considered by the borough’s development management committee.
Residents argued that the site is used as a play area by local children. If they went elsewhere it would become a safeguarding issue.
They also said the houses were not needed as another, larger development was being built nearby and they believed green sites should not be used even if there was a need for more housing.
Public transport is poor in Burtonwood, they claimed.
Officers said the proposal was acceptable, given the character of the wider area. The design of the properties respected the area and there would be no significant harm to ecology.
They said the development had been designed to respect the privacy of existing residents.
