A SCHEME to build 40 homes close to Winsford Academy has been recommended for approval despite a 93-strong petition objecting to it.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee will decide tomorrow whether to give Winsford developer Roland Finney outline permission to build 14 three-bedroom houses and 30 two-bedroom flats on Grange Yard, in Grange Lane.

Cllr Michael Baynham, CWAC member for Winsford Over and Verdin, has called in the proposal to be discussed by the committee.

The Conservative councillor is concerned about the development’s potential impact on the neighbouring A54 and Grange Lane, while he believes the homes would not be in keeping with their surroundings.

But in a report issued ahead of tomorrow’s meeting, CWAC said: “The proposed amount and type of development has been shown to be able to be accommodated within the site without causing severe detriment to highway safety.

“It is considered that the development could be accommodated without appearing cramped or over-developed, or to be out of keeping with the character of the surrounding development.”

Officers are calling for the scheme to be approved, subject to 33 conditions – with Mr Finney having a further three years to submit a more detailed scheme in a reserved matters application.

Thirteen of the properties would be made available for key workers in the public sector, and CWAC officers want to see 30 per cent of the homes be made affordable.

Winsford Town Council has objected to the scheme, suggesting it will lead to a ‘loss of amenity, especially for those on Grange Lane’ – while it also insists the site is not earmarked for housing in the Winsford Neighbourhood Plan.

Forty-one letters of objection were also sent to CWAC, citing traffic issues and loss of privacy, in addition to a petition with 93 signatures.

A decision is expected to be made at the planning committee meeting from 4pm on April 10, in Chester.