PLANS to demolish several buildings and erect 27 affordable homes near a high school have been given the green light.

The Guinness Partnership applied to Cheshire West and Chester Council for permission to bulldoze a depot building and a cottage off Greenbank Lane near Hartford High School.

The proposals would then see a mix of eight three-bedroom homes, seven two-bedroom homes and 12 one-bedroom homes built at the site.

A design and access statement, prepared by Green Square Architecture on behalf of the applicants, says: "The proposed scheme responds to the surrounding context and overcomes any issues of overlooking from surrounding buildings.

"It will also enhance the existing street scene. Architecturally, the design proposed retains a traditional form and evokes a domestic scale appearance suitable to the surrounding vernacular.

"This proposal also includes the demolition of the existing single-storey, lightweight building which is out of character with the surrounding context.

"This application provides well-needed affordable housing."

The plans also include provision for 42 parking spaces.

In her report, a council officer said the former depot building had been used for the maintenance of CWAC vehicles.

She added: "The re-development of a previously developed site within a settlement boundary represents an

acceptable form of development.

"Part of the site does extend beyond the settlement boundary but it has been sufficiently demonstrated that the harm caused by developing land within the countryside would be outweighed by the significant social benefits.

"This includes the provision of 27 affordable dwellings, designed to meet an identified local need, that the development would deliver, and proximity and relationship of the site to Hartford.

"The proposals would not result in significant harm to protected species, highway safety, drainage, trees or residential amenity (subject to conditions).

"They are therefore considered acceptable."

Approval for the plans was granted on February 23. For more details, search 19/02804/FUL on the council's online planning portal.