A REPORT recommended council approval last night for a controversial housing development in Hartford.
The proposals to build 72 two- and three-storey houses and apartments on land currently used as a car park at Mid-Cheshire College went before Vale Royal Borough Council's planning committee.
Four letters of objection were received by planners. They claimed too much development in the village, putting roads and infrastructure under pressure, which would be increased by these proposals, that the three-storey properties were inappropriate and that recreation areas needed to be provided.
The scheme was scaled back after objections over the height of four-storey buildings originally proposed by George Wimpey NW.
Speaking last month, Vale Royal Borough Council leader and Hartford Cllr Keith Mus-grave said: 'Residents were unhappy at the height of the original buildings. It would not have been in keeping with the rest of the area.'
A report to planners due to be considered as the Chronicle went to press last night said: 'The principle of housing on this site was established in 2000 and the proposed development is now considered acceptable.'
The company says 30% of the development will be affordable housing.
College bosses plan to build a new car park on Greenbank Lane but residents claim this will increase congestion.
Cllr Musgrave added: 'Plans to put a replacement car park at Greenbank Lane are not popular with residents. The lane is quite congested around school time.'
