IMPROVED plans agreed for almost 150 new apartments in Chester city centre have been welcomed.

Taylor Woodrow Developments has approval to build 144 apartments, 25% of which will be affordable homes, on the Linenhall Stables in Stanley Street which are to move to the racecourse.

Chester's planning board originally deferred a decision as councillors were not happy with disabled access through the development.

Other issues which have now been resolved include the retention of a post box in Stanley Street and overlooking concerns which had been raised by the Queen's School.

The possibility of tree planting on the St Martin's Way frontage to soften the facade of the apartments was discounted by the County Engineer.

Recommending the development should be approved, subject to a legal agreement, principal planning officer Mark Dickens told councillors in a report the scheme is supported by Chester Civic Trust which says: `The architects have succeeded in producing a modern design for these town houses and apartments on a difficult site.'

No opposition was raised by English Heritage although County planning officers objected on the grounds the proposed 144 car parking spaces is `over provision', there is inadequate information in a traffic assessment and the development is detrimental to the city centre conservation area.

Residents and businesses also raised concerns.

Peter D Jones of 5 Stanley Place pointed out the scheme will be at the top end 'of what is one of Chester's prime heritage Georgian squares'.

He described it as 'too large by far' and believes the development will bring traffic chaos to the square which he describes as 'a unique area'.

Other occupiers also raised traffic concerns and suggest the development 'will destroy a lot of the atmosphere of this small but historic part of Chester'.

Barristers in nearby Sedan House commented: 'We objecton the grounds it will make the parking situation in Stanley Place and the surrounding areas even worse than it is now.'

The development now includes an accessible public route from St Martin's Way through to Stanley Place and on to the city walls, councillors heard.

A suggestion there should be an archway at the Stanley Street en-trance has not been accepted.

Cllr Gwyneth Cooper (Lab, City and St Annes) told the board: `I would like to thank the Race Company and the developers. They have taken account of what was raised.'

The board agreed the apartments could have planning permission on an 8-3 vote.