Planning officers have recommended approval for up to 120 homes in the open countryside despite acknowledging 'the proposed development has the potential to impair the efficiency of the telescope' at Jodrell Bank.

Richborough and Land First Investments have applied for outline planning permission for the homes, which include 30 per cent affordable, on a 5.5-hectare parcel of agricultural land at Congleton.

The site is immediately off Sandbach Road to the northwest and bound by a watercourse, Loach Brook, to the east and northeast.

The University of Manchester, which manages the Jodrell Bank telescope, has objected to the application over concerns it would impair its efficiency.

Cheshire East's local plan states development within the Jodrell Bank consultation zone will not be permitted if it can be shown to impair the efficiency of the radio telescope.

The report from the council's planning officer to the strategic planning board, which will determine the application on Thursday, states: "It is acknowledged that the proposed development has the potential to impair the efficiency of the telescope, and that the cumulative impacts of this and other developments is more significant than each development taken individually."

The planning officer's report also says distance is a factor, and the application site is located on the very southeastern edge of the Jodrell Bank consultation zone, approximately 8.3km away from the observatory.

Somerford and Astbury parish councils have also objected to the proposal.

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Among their concerns are highways issues, the impact on schools and GP services, visual impact and amenity.

Somerford Parish Council has suggested that all the speed limits are set at 30mph between the Box Lane and Padgbury Lane junction – the access to Congleton High School – and the Wallhill roundabout.

Astbury Parish Council states: "No new schools, GP surgeries, dentists etc. have been proposed and thus the development will place an unacceptable strain on these services.

"Should planning permission be granted, it would be fair to expect the applicant to contribute to limiting the negative impact of their own development on the local area."

Ten nearby residents have objected.

Their concerns include the loss of green space, flood risk, loss of agricultural land and inappropriate scale and character of the proposal.

The council planning officer's report states: "The proposal would cause the loss of open countryside and there would landscape impacts."

It continues: "Less than substantial harm would be caused to Jodrell Bank World Heritage Site, the grade two listed boundary stone, and Fieldhouse Farm, to which great weight is given.

"However, the development impacts could be appropriately mitigated and limited by way of conditions and controlling at the reserved matters stage."

It then points out Cheshire East does not have a five-year housing land supply 'and the provision of up to 120 dwellings would make a substantial contribution towards this shortfall'.

It says the development would produce employment opportunities during the construction phase.

It concludes: "Overall, it is considered that any adverse impacts of allowing the development would be significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the benefits."

The application is recommended for approval subject to conditions and a S106 agreement to secure the affordable housing and financial contributions including £108,480 towards health, £705,125 towards education and £540,000 towards the Congleton Link Road.

The meeting of the strategic planning board takes place at 10.30am at Macclesfield Town Hall on Thursday, March 5.