A SCHEME to build 137 new homes has won the borough council's backing.

But it is only one stage of construction, with hundreds more homes planned for the same site off Rossfield Road North in Ellesmere Port.

Borough planners approved phase one plans by Persimmon Homes (Mercia) Ltd for 137 dwellings, open space provision and associated works on the site.

The development will include 36 two-bedroom apartments, 11 flats over garages, 38 three-bedroom terraced houses, 43 four/five-bedroom terraced house, and nine four bedroom detached houses.

Parking provision will be two spaces for every house and less for each flat.

Council case officer Paul Friston said in a report: 'Outline planning permission has already been granted for residential development (approximately 500 dwellings), with open space, access including pedestrian routes to Princes Road via a bridge, pedestrian cycle links to Percival Road and New Grosvenor Road, and associated works.

'The outline site area is some 44 acres. This includes the original area of Jacks Wood and the proposed landscape buffers to the exiting industrial areas.'

Among the objections received by the council were ones from the Environment Agency about the watercourse being affected, loss of trees and the need for a bat survey.

Two letters were sent in by nearby residents, objecting to the loss of part of Jacks Wood.

One said: 'Jacks Wood is being destroyed for the sake of two detached houses only. It is a lowland mixed deciduous woodland, a habitat of principle importance and should not be damaged.'

The other added lighting should not be intensive but suited to the area and wildlife.

Persimmon said the scheme would safeguard important landscape features, as well as ensuring full accessibility for residents and visitors.

Councillors also approved the erection of a 2.5m-high acoustic fence on a 2m-high bank.