Controversial plans for up to 130 new homes in the open countryside at Alsager have been approved.

Nearly 120 residents had objected to the outline application to build on 6.6 hectares of agricultural land at Manor Farm.

And councillors were clearly reluctant to give it the go-ahead as no-one was initially prepared to move it for approval as planning officers had recommended.

Cllr Joy Bratherton (Crewe, Lab), who did eventually move for approval, later told yesterday's (Tuesday) meeting of the strategic planning board she had hoped no-one would have seconded it.

The committee heard from Alsager Town councillor Stephen Butterfield the development would 'add an intolerable burden to the already overstretched roads, medical and education provision'.

"Manor Farm is not needed and not wanted by the residents of Alsager," said Cllr Butterfield.

"The argument S106 provision [funding from the developer] will mitigate highways problems is a false claim. It will not.

"The highways problems will be there irrespective of S106 money."

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Access to the proposed development will be from Hulse Way and William Howell Way and Cllr Butterfield said these were unsuitable.

"They were designed to be narrow and winding for a reason. They're estate roads," he said.

"So, in our opinion, this development fails to demonstrate the safe and appropriate access and would result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety."

But highways officers disagreed – although they did say there would be a need to manage construction vehicles.

Resident Brian Lomas said the scheme was full of negatives and no benefits, pointing out it would involve the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land and two protected trees.

He told the committee the attitude was: "There are trees with TPO orders on them. Let's chop a few down, because there's a lot left!"

Cllr Bratherton said it seemed the two protected trees were being removed because of the access.

"I would argue that maybe we should be asking them to find an area to access the site that doesn't actually affect such large, established trees," she said.

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Planning officer Dan Evans said that had been explored but there was no alternative.

Councillors were reminded Cheshire East doesn't have a five-year housing land supply, which weighs heavily in favour of the development.

Elliott Bullock, the agent representing Hallam Land Management, said the scheme included 30 per cent affordable housing.

"There are wider economic benefits, active travel improvements, biodiversity net gain, and a policy compliant on-site public open space provision, which includes community allotments," said Mr Bullock.

He said the site 'forms a rounding-off of a settlement edge of Alsager itself'.

When acting chair Cllr Garnet Marshall (Middlewich, Ind) called for someone to move approval, the room was silent.

Eventually Cllr Bratherton did, but no-one was prepared to second it so Cllr Marshall did.

The vote was three in favour of approval, one against and four councillors abstained so the application was approved.