Controversial plans for a fire station in the green belt near Chester have gained final approval from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Cheshire West and Chester Council backed the scheme off Powey Lane in Mollington but the decision was referred to the National Planning Casework Unit as a departure from green belt policy.

The unit has decided not to ‘call in’ the application, saying “planning decisions should be made at the local level wherever possible”.

Under the plans, Chester and Ellesmere Port will be left with just one full-time engine each, with a back-up pump based at the new station.

Cheshire Fire Brigade Union is concerned this is spreading fire cover “a little thinner” because many motorway incidents and house fires require a minimum of two fire engines for safe working.

Green belt campaigners are also upset, arguing alternative brown-field sites were available.

But Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is delighted at receiving planning consent for a total of four new fire stations, including Mollington, in a policy driven by the need to make millions of pounds in savings.

On launching the plan in 2012, chief fire officer Paul Hancock accepted there would be a loss of up to 100 full-time firefighter posts and greater use of on call firefighters but said the new stations would mean resources were in the best locations.

This week, Mr Hancock said: “This is the start of an exciting programme which will ensure we can continue to protect communities across Cheshire despite the financial challenges we are facing.

“The investment in new stations together with changing how some fire engines are staffed means we will be able to make more efficient and effective use of our emergency response services in the future.”

Contractors have started building the first new fire station at Alsager. Recruitment is underway for the part-time or on-call firefighters who will be based there.

Meanwhile, five companies are invited to bid for a single contract worth an estimated £13m to build the three further stations.

Work on those stations at Mollington, Penketh and near the motorway interchange at Lymm is expected to start in the New Year.

The fire authority has received a £4.5m government grant towards the costs.