Cheshire East has granted 'permission in principle' for up to nine homes on green belt land at Church Lawton despite a number of concerns, including potential highways dangers.

Ivan Simkin applied for 'permission in principle' (PIP) for the properties on land at Grove Manor, off Liverpool Road West.

The southern planning committee was told today (Wednesday) the site is an existing large glass house for a horticultural business.

Ward councillor Patrick Redstone (Con), speaking as a visiting member, said he objected to the proposal, as did the parish council.

"It is felt that this is an inappropriate development in the green belt, and there would be a loss of openness," said Cllr Redstone.

"There is no safe access to this plot, which is surrounded by busy roads with many junctions.

"Creating a road to cater for several houses coming in and out of this plot and into the surrounding roads, especially the suggested one-way street, would be hazardous."

Because the application was for 'permission in principle', councillors were limited, at this stage, to only considering the location, land use and amount of development.

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Planning officer Dan Evans said quite a lot of points raised at today's meeting couldn't be considered at this first stage.

He said the site meets the recently introduced grey belt criteria.

Cllr Rod Fletcher (Alsager, Lib Dem) said he was concerned by matters raised by the ward councillor and could not support the recommendation to approve.

Cllr Andrew Kolker (Dane Valley, Con) said: "I have major concerns about this site in terms of housing density.

"I find the entrance on the apex of a bend slightly eccentric.

"So those are two concerns, certainly, but they're not for discussion today.

"This is a planning in principle, and the government clearly wants us, as a borough, to build more houses.

"They've created this grey belt clause within the NPPF (national planning policy framework) to facilitate the building of more houses.

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"I don't see how this is contrary to the NPPF, and so I'm happy to propose approval."

The move to approve was seconded by Nantwich councillor Anna Burton (Lab).

Seven councillors voted in favour, two against and one abstained.

Because a PIP application is in two stages, the site site must receive a grant of technical details consent before development can proceed.