PROPOSALS for hundreds of new homes at Omega South have been approved by councillors.

The plans for the land in Great Sankey will see up to 617 homes built, as well as restaurants and a hotel.

Members of Warrington Borough Council’s development management committee discussed the application during its virtual meeting on Wednesday.

It will be the latest housing scheme for the land which stretches from Great Sankey to the M62 on former RAF Burtonwood land.

The application was approved in August subject to conditions and a section 106 agreement – but only on the basis the secretary of state did not call it in for further discussion.

As this has not happened, it came before councillors again.

Cllr Judith Wheeler said: “I am grateful that the affordable housing in perpetuity has been written into the development.”

Cllr Bob Barr also shared his views on the plans.

He said: “I have one slight concern which I probably had back in August as well, which is this is a very substantial approval in principle and, as it stands, everything else becomes reserved matters and presumably could be dealt with by officers without coming back to our committee.

“There’s a whole range of details about the nature of the neighbourhood which are left out from this outline application.”

Cllr Barr was told the reserved matters application will be submitted in due course, in accordance with the timeframe outlined in conditions.

The site will be accessed off Burtonwood Road/Kingswood Road and Burtonwood Road/Whittle Avenue.

More than 30 people had commented on the plans, with many concerned about the impact on roads in the area.

The outline plans feature the development of 617 homes, a mixed-use zone including retail and food and drink establishments, a hotel and an ‘extra care’ facility.

A detailed plan is set to be submitted by developers in the new year before any building goes ahead.

The committee voted to approve the application, subject to conditions and a section 106 agreement.