Plans for up 85 homes in the open countryside at Nantwich have been given the go-ahead, with one councillor begging for a reason to refuse which wouldn't be overruled at appeal.

Barratt David Wilson Homes applied for outline permission for the dwellings, including 30 per cent affordable, together with landscaping, children's play area and sustainable urban drainage on 6.39 hectares of agricultural land at London Road.

The council's planning officers had recommended approval despite acknowledging in their report to Wednesday's (29 April) meeting of the strategic planning board that 'the proposed development on this site would cause harm'.

Cheshire East doesn't have a five-year housing land supply, a significant material consideration which weighs in favour of permitting the development.

Planning officer Rob Cooper told councillors today that because of that lack of five-year supply, the tilted balance is engaged.

"There will be some harm from the proposal in terms of loss of the part of the strategic green gap.

"There will be some landscape harm in terms of the change from agricultural land to housing developments, however, these could be appropriately managed and limited through the reserved matters stage," he said.

The meeting heard from Stapeley Parish councillor Jo Hillman that the parish council had several concerns around highways issues, including the proposed access road and pedestrian crossing.

And she told the meeting: "As councillors who live near the proposed sites, we are acutely aware of the existing traffic issues."

She added the development will lead to a loss of green gap between Stapeley and Willaston.

"Any loss is not acceptable, as it degrades the very reason for the establishment of the strategic green gap in the first instance," she said.

Resident Andrea Jacobs, speaking on behalf of neighbouring properties, said: "We consider the proposal to be contrary to many key aspects of planning policy – loss of open countryside, agricultural land, habitat, trees and sustainability."

She too raised concerns about highways issues.

But highways officers had not objected to the proposal and said the cumulative impact couldn't be taken into account.

Haslington councillor Steve Edgar (Conservative), said once again the council was in between a rock and a hard place.

"I've been through the report and I can't find any strong reason to refuse the application that won't go straight to appeal," he said.

"I'm just begging now for someone to give me a reason to refuse as long as it doesn't go to appeal."

Knutsford councillor Tony Dean (Conservative), said the land was very good agricultural, but this didn't play a part in planning policy as of yet and so didn't justify a reason for refusal – although he was sure it would in the future.

He added that, like Cllr Edgar, he couldn't find any reason to refuse it.

Crewe East Cllr, Martin Edwards (Labour), moved the application be approved and this was seconded by Cllr Dean.

The application was approved with six councillors voting in favour, one against and four abstaining.

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