DEVELOPERS have won their battle to knock down Hartford’s college campus and build 108 homes in its place.

The controversial scheme from Lane End Developments was fiercely opposed over the loss of the Warrington and Vale Royal College building and the impact of new properties on Hartford’s infrastructure – including by Mike Amesbury MP.

But Cheshire West and Chester Council officers recommended the scheme for approval and it was given the go-ahead at Tuesday’s planning committee meeting.

Cllr Patricia Parkes, Conservative CWAC member for Hartford and Greenbank, warned the committee that her ward could not cope with additional traffic from the development – and called for the eight-year-old arts and sports block to be handed over to the community.

"Hartford is suffering from overdevelopment," she told the committee.

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"The closing of the college and its associated facilities is a huge loss to Northwich and there is now a lack of further education, including provision for adult learners."

Cllr Phil Herbert, independent member for Hartford and Greenbank, suggested the scheme went against Hartford's neighbourhood plan and would ramp up pressure on local schools and roads.

And Rev Mike Smith, chairman of governors at Hartford C of E High School, told the committee that the college is now 'simply in the wrong place' – with Northwich having five secondary schools to Winsford's one – and criticised the loss of the arts and sports block, which cost £7.5 million.

But Labour Cllr Sam Naylor, who represents CWAC on the college's board, told the committee that the cash that would be raked in from the development would be needed to secure the college's future in mid Cheshire.

He said: "It's not worth the effort picking through the bones as to how we have arrived at an outstanding, 2,500-strong and thriving campus, to what is now a gutted, demolition-ready shell that has absolutely zero chance of once again opening its doors as a college.

"As a resident, do I want more houses in Hartford? Definitely not."

Opening the debate, Cllr Myles Hogg, Conservative, said: "On the basis of the report in front of us, I feel that housing – though maybe not desirable or needed – is probably the only viable alternative for this particular site."

Cllr Samantha Dixon, Labour, agreed that the plans are an 'acceptable use of a vacant site' – but criticised the absence of affordable housing in the development, which is not required by law on a brownfield site such as the college.

Members approved the plans by eight votes to one, with Cllr Herbert voting against.

The scheme will include five bungalows for older residents, and feature public open space and allotments.

Lane End Developments will pay £984,000 towards the Moss Farm sports complex as part of the scheme, while £204,812.76 will go to Hartford C of E High School and £109.260 will go towards GP provision.