PLANS to build 28 new homes on land off St Johns Drive, in Winsford, have been given the go-ahead Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the development which will include two, three and four bedroom houses – eight of which will be affordable.

However, the plans were met with some opposition due to fears about road safety.

Clr Don Beckett said: “I have concerns, like the residents have concerns, about the highways issues and of the entrance and exit to the site going onto a very busy road.

“Until you visit the site you don’t realise how fast the road [St Johns Drive] is and how close to the bend the proposed entrance and exit is.

“If left in that position there will be numerous accidents on that road. To say that people travel along it at 30mph is wrong.”

More than 50 properties in the surrounding area were consulted on the development.

Six representations were submitted raising concerns about the access from St Johns Drive, which is close to the road’s dangerous bend.

Clr Julie Tickridge added: “I’ve been to the site myself and, despite the 30mph speed limit, cars still race down that road.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s highways team said they had no objections to the development.

Developers, Redrow Homes, have offered a £5,000 contribution to be spent on highways, including improved pavements, and open spaces if permission was granted.

The proposal was unanimously approved on the condition that the majority of the developer’s £5,000 contribution would be spent on traffic calming measures, including a flashing 30mph sign.