A TOTAL of 14 new homes are proposed in a Chester suburb.

The outline application, for houses and apartments, has been put forward on the former corporation yard at Flag Lane North, Upton by Redsun Ltd.

The developers have told planning officers at Chester City Council there would be a mixture of three and four bedroomed dwellings.

These include 10 two and a half storey buildings with accommodation in the roof space, two 2 1/2 storey buildings at the entrance to the site and two first floor apartments above garages in the development.

Three of the homes would side on to Moston Road at the end of the site closest to the Girl Guide centre and Caughall Road.

A row of two storey properties and the two first floor apartments would face Moston Road at the front of the site.

The access would be slightly repositioned and widened on the corner of Flag Lane North and Moston Road.

There would be a right turn only lane from Moston Road into Flag Lane North and each property would have two parking spaces.

A large protected Oak tree would remain.

The narrow, vacant and neglected site is a former county council highway lighting depot, the former buildings of which were removed some time ago, according to a report.

Outline plans for 18 apartments and six town houses were withdrawn in 2005 as were proposals for a two storey residential nursing home in 2007, says the report.

In autumn last year, a scheme for 14 three and four bedroom houses was also withdrawn.

Upton by Chester and District Parish Council says it has no objection in principle.

Concerns at the lack of affordable housing have been raised by the Chester Civic Trust while neighbours in Endsleigh Gardens and Endsleigh Close have sent in two objections referring to drainage problems, the protection of the Oak tree, the "excessive" density of development and its height and the increase in traffic.

Commenting on the loss of employment land, planning officers say the site was marketed for three years and they are satisfied it would not meet the needs of offices, general industry or storage and distribution.

They also believe that additional traffic, large vehicles and the limited space for manoeuvres linked to employment activities would undermine highway safety.

The closeness of nearby homes would restrict the type and scale of any business or industrial use.

The application for a nursing home was withdrawn as a result of "insurmountable objections" they point out.

The density of development is said to exceed the minimum requirement but planning officers accept the number of homes does not meet the threshold for any affordable housing.

Key considerations are said to be safeguarding residential amenity, highway safety and protecting the Oak tree.

The earlier residential scheme was withdrawn as a result of various concerns, the report reveals and planning officers believe these have been dealt with.

The development will enhance the character and appearance along that part of the A41 they feel and suggest it will not lead to any unacceptable overlooking or loss of privacy.

Double glazing and other measures would be taken to deal with noise from the main road and no objections have been raised by the highway engineers.

Following discussions, an objection by Welsh Water concerning overloading of the public sewers has been withdrawn, councillors are due to hear.

The outline plans are recommended for permission subject to 15 conditions and a legal agreement requiring a financial contribution to the city council for play and open space elsewhere.

The application is due to be considered at a meeting of Chester's planning board taking place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the city centre on Wednesday (January 28) at 10.30am.

It has been called in by Upton Grange Cllr Jill Houlbrook (Con).