HOUSING plans for land at Grappenhall Heys have been approved despite concerns over the development being ‘car dependent’.

The Homes and Communities Agency – which has been replaced by Homes England – had outline plans for 400 homes at Grappenhall Heys passed in 2017.

The reserved matters applications for the first phases of the overall scheme, 1a and 1b, were refused last year.

But the new applications from Homes England and Rowland Homes, each planned to deliver 30 per cent of affordable housing, came before the development management committee on Wednesday evening.

The reserved matters part of the planning process requires the applicant to submit detailed proposals over the scale, layout, access and appearance of the development.

Phase 1a comprises development of 58 homes on land to the south of Astor Drive and east of Witherwin Avenue, while phase 1b comprises development of 114 homes on land to the north of Lichfield Avenue and the east of Witherwin Avenue.

However, total 77 objections had been submitted over the phase 1a scheme and 69 over phase 1b.

Objections were on grounds including a lack of infrastructure, no provision for schools or medical centres, air pollution, poor design, density being too high and there being a large number of vacant homes in area.

Both of the applications were approved by councillors at the Town Hall.

The committee was told the developers have made ‘every change they can’ and have amended plans throughout discussions to deliver as many requests as possible.

During the debate on the first application, committee member Cllr Bob Barr said there has been no attempt to create a community but said the houses will be ‘lovely and easy to sell’.

He added: “What you are offering us here is a straightforward car-dependent commuter suburb.

“What I think residents really wanted were garden villages, not a car-dependent commuter suburb.

“I know we can’t change it now and I’m grateful for the extent to which you have changed the detailed design.

“I am disappointed by the application as a whole but grateful for the changes you have made.”