OUTLINE plans for up to 120 new homes near the town centre have been called in.

Developer Barkin Development Ltd has submitted the scheme on land adjacent to West Cheshire College on Regent Street.

The mix of two, three and four-bedroom terraced, semi-detached and detached homes, 25% of which would be affordable, would be close to the college’s rotunda campus.

It would face the ‘town cross’, where planners believe development, including the college building and the academy, reflects ‘more faithfully Ellesmere Port’s real economic and symbolic importance, locally and regionally’.

The plans have been called in by Grange ward councillor Tony Sherlock (Lab) due to local concern.

Councillors will meet at 4pm tomorrow at HQ in Chester to grapple with a 34-page report which recommends the application be approved although it would be ‘a significant departure’ from the Local Plan.

It is supported by the college and by the academy.

Access would be off Sutton Way, according to a report.

Earlier plans have been redesigned and a boulevard would provide a vista toward the college entrance.

The report refers to concerns that part of the layout, reflecting nearby housing ‘does not appear to address the new urban reality taking shape’.

It would be the last piece of the puzzle around the town cross and larger, modern blocks would be more in keeping.

Views of the imposing college building through housing would detract, it is argued.

Four representations have been made by neighbours who were consulted, with one objecting to the revised plans raising 13 issues including noise, traffic, overlooking, the loss of open space and the effect of the housing on local services and the community.

Planners believe the development would help to meet the shortage of housing in the borough and would maintain an open view to the college.

They say, however, the detailed plans must include open space, along with the boulevard to maintain this aspect.

The borough’s strategic planning committee will be asked to agree 42 conditions together with financial contributions to recreational improvements elsewhere, a play area and a residents parking zone scheme.