PLANS to turn the site of a former children’s home in Ellesmere Port into a housing development have been given the green light.

The application for 14 new homes at The Quillets on Armthorpe Drive, Little Sutton, was made by Rob Wright at a planning meeting of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Mr Riley told planning officers he was seeking approval to convert, extend and alter the L-shaped two-storey children’s home in order to create six flats and two houses with a bungalow at the front and a new attached house at the rear.

In addition, two pairs of semis would be built either side of the building.

Private gardens would be provided for the new homes along with communal garden areas for the flats and the development would include 20 car parking spaces.

No objections were raised by the highway authority or by environmental protection officers but neighbours did object to the removal of mature trees, which they claimed provided a habitat for wildlife.

They also expressed concern about an increase in traffic on what is said to be an already busy and congested road.

No representations were made by Ledsham and Manor ward councillors Gareth Anderson and Keith Butcher and an objection from the headteacher of Sutton Green Primary School located across the way, was withdrawn.

Overall planners believed the character of the building would not change significantly, and that the semi-detached houses would be in keeping with the area.

The mix of flats, townhouses and semis was acceptable, they said, and there would be no detrimental effect on the amenity of local residents including overlooking, loss of privacy or over dominance.

There would also be no unduly harmful effect on the school.

The application was recommended for approval subject to 15 conditions and the borough council agreed the development could have permission.