Hundreds of houses set for approval in Davenham and Kingsmead

Three separate applications are going before Cheshire West and Chester Council's (CWAC) strategic planning committee at 4pm.

These include proposals for 113 homes at Hill Top Farm, in Kingsmead, 53 homes at Jack Lane, in Davenham, and 70 homes at Fountain Lane, in Davenham.

The Hill Top Farm application has been reduced in size from the original 121-home plan and has been recommended for approval by planning officers.

Both Kingsmead and Davenham parish councils have objected to the plans on the grounds of highway concerns, environmental impact and a lack of facilities.

The parish councils were particularly concerned about access to the development off the A556 at a point, by the junction with Hartford Road, where there have been a number of fatalities.

But the planning officer's report said the new estate would improve the road by creating a traffic light controlled crossroads, including Hartford Road, the A556 and the new access road.

It states: "The access and junction is considered to be an improvement to the highway to the benefit of existing users of Hartford Road and to the pedestrians who currently cross the A556.

"Concerns have been raised in respect of the speed limit in this area, however a new lower limit of 60mph is to be enforced, as well as the installation of interactive signage."

In conclusion the report states: "Given the location of the development between the A556 and existing built up area to the north of the site it is not considered that the development would bring sufficient clear and demonstrable harm to justify a refusal of planning permission."

The plans for 53 houses at land at Jack Lane have also been recommended for approval despite objections by residents, Davenham Parish Council and the neighbouring Moulton Parish Council for a number of reasons, including the site being in an area of special environmental value and a buffer between the two villages and a lack of school places.

The planning report states that benefits of the scheme of easing the housing deficit, providing 30 per cent affordable housing and 'direct and indirect economic benefits' outweigh the negatives.

The proposal for 70 houses at land in Fountain Lane has also been recommended for approval.

Davenham and Moulton parish councils have again objected, saying that the development would increase congestion and have an adverse impact on the environments and school places.

But planning officers state that the benefits of the proposal outweigh any negatives.

The meeting takes place at Wyvern House, in Winsford.