A LARGE-SCALE housing development in Ellesmere Port could be delayed for another six years.
Planning officials have asked for extra time to build the development on the former Van Leer industrial site on Meadow Lane which was approved for 179 homes in 2010.
London-based Hansteen STC told Cheshire West and Chester Council it was seeking to extend the approval by six years to take account of the economic climate and contaminated land issues on the site.
Organisations consulted on the matter did not object to the requests but the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advised against granting planning permission on public safety grounds.
Rossmore ward councillor Pat Merrick did not make any objections.
Planners suggested there had been no significant change in planning policies since the previous approval and the site and neighbouring properties remained the same.
The new development would bring the vacant brownfield site back into use, as well as significant regeneration benefits to that part of the town.
Planning officials are said to feel the scheme offers the prospect of a good development with 25% of the homes being affordable.
They agreed the time for work to start could be extended by six years as this already applied to approvals on Cromwell Road and Cambridge Road and the application was approved.
