Plans for new houses in Chester have been approved despite objections from local residents and councillors.

Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning committee rubber-stamped proposals for 21 properties on private land between Lache Lane, Lower Field Road and Rowcliffe Avenue at a meeting on Thursday.

The scheme was submitted as a joint application by Blueoak Estates Ltd and The Marjory Boddy Charitable Trust. The Trust said sale of the land will allow it to invest in its support to charities and community groups across the borough.

The proposals include 12 four bedroom houses, five three bedroom homes and four one bedroom ‘affordable’ properties.

The plans had been called in by ward councillors Razia Daniels and Neil Sullivan who raised concerns over the impact on residential amenity, road safety and the local environment.

Cllr Daniels told the meeting: “Residents are objecting to the principle of the building on this site because they feel more housing is not needed, because only recently 1,400 homes have been approved for building on Wrexham Road.”

Howard Williams, speaking on behalf of the Westminster Park Residents Association, raised objections over flooding fears, impact on existing residents and loss of local ecology.

He told members: “The plans show excessively tall houses extremely close to existing residents' houses, as close as one to two meters.

“This is not in keeping with the surrounding neighbourhood and will result in a high density development.”

But planning agent Jon Suckley told the committee: “The applicant is a highly experienced bespoke house builder and the development has an interesting and high quality design which respects the character and appearance of the area.

"The applicant’s revised plans shows the ridge lines of the houses adjoining Lower Field Road have been lowered and the separation distance with adjoining properties have increased.”

The scheme was approved subject to conditions, with eight votes in favour and three against.