A REVAMPED proposal to build 64 flats has rescued the project.

Borough council planners deciding project's fate found the revised plans to be a 'significant improvement.

Last month applicant James Barker submitted plans to build apartments and provide car parking at the Ellesmere Port Social Club site in Stan-ney Lane.

But councillors expressed concerns about the height of the proposed flats, which could have dwarfed other town centre buildings such as the council offices on Civic Way.

The scheme was amended by Mr Barker and re-submitted to the council last week. It was unanimously approved.

A council report said: 'The revised proposal will involve the erection of one block, formed around a central courtyard, which is now three storeys high on all external elevations.

'Within the roof space there will be a fourth storey, but this will only affect the internal courtyard elevations.

'The application site is in a prominent position on Stanney Lane and its redevelopment would result in a building that would be highly visible from a number of approaches into the town centre.

'But the revised design is of sufficient quality to minimise the prominence and visual impact.

'The revisions have also resulted in a more uniform and far less dominant elevation on to Wellington Road.'

The block will be set back 2 metres from the back of the footpath on Stanney Lane.

A pedestrian-only access will come off Stanney Lane, while vehicle access is off Wellington Road. There is one parking space for each flat.

Of the 64 flats, 54 have two bedrooms, the rest have one.

The proposal involves the loss of the social club and crown bowling green.

Mr Barker has agreed to replace the green near the flats and contribute towards enhancing an off-site open space area and cycleways.

He will also make 16 - a quarter - of the flats affordable to young couples.

The nearby Royal British Legion Club, which agrees to the plans, is said to be welcoming the relocation of members from the social club.

The hedge along Wellington Road is being retained. There is scope for tree planting along this boundary, and also on the southern end of the Stanney Lane frontage.

The scheme was passed with conditions including drainage, bin and cycle storage, landscaping, noise management and samples of materials being approved.