Plans for a 396-home development on the outskirts of Congleton have been unanimously approved.

The scheme, at Mount Pleasant Farm off Giantswood Lane at Hulme Walfield, will now include 265 affordable homes.

Stuart Andrew, of Castle Green Homes, told Cheshire East's strategic planning board yesterday (Wednesday): "A significant notable benefit of this scheme is that, out of a total of 396 dwellings proposed, 265 are intended to be delivered as affordable homes, which is around 70 per cent of the overall total."

He said 83 of these will constitute the affordable housing required in accordance with council policy and the rest will be delivered by Homes England and grant funded .

The development is to be built across four parcels of land.

Parcel A to the west of Barn Road/Viking Way will house 160 dwellings.

Parcel B, immediately to the east of Barn Road/Viking Way, and west of the Local Wildlife Site will consist of 126 dwellings.

Parcels C & D, located between the LWS and Giantswood Lane, will house 110 dwellings.

The proposal – which has been revised from a previous submission – will comprise four one-bedroom properties, 55 two-bed, 223 three-bed and 114 four-bed homes.

Mr Andrew told the meeting: "As part of this application, we met and listened to the concerns of local residents, including the Friends of Giantswood Lane, and consequently removed the originally proposed secondary access on to Giantswood Lane, with this now intended to be an emergency vehicle access only."

The developer was praised at the meeting by councillors and public speakers for working with residents to overcome their concerns.

Congleton councillor Heather Seddon (Lab) asked planning officers about the objection from Jodrell Bank.

The observatory had objected to the development saying it would impair the efficiency of the telescopes.

Planning officer Adrian Crowther said Jodrell Bank's concerns were about electronic interference from items such as computers and mobile phones and a condition was included to insulate properties to reduce that.

The Congleton councillor then proposed the application be approved.

"I like the design," said Cllr Seddon.

"I think a lot of thought and effort has gone into planning with the residents and the planning officers.

"The play areas have a nice woodland feel to them, we've got the wildlife area that has been protected in the middle.. the cycle lanes throughout the site.

"I think there are a lot of positives to this site. Well done everybody."

Haslington councillor Steve Edgar (Con) agreed and seconded the move and the application was unanimously approved with conditions.