Plans for a 396-home development on the outskirts of Congleton have been recommended for approval despite planners' acknowledgement there will be 'some harm to ecology and Jodrell Bank'.

Castle Green Homes wants to build the dwellings on four parcels of land at Mount Pleasant Farm off Giantswood Lane at Hulme Walfield.

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.

Eighty-three of the properties will be affordable.

The application is due to be considered by Cheshire East's strategic planning board on Wednesday (January 31).

In a report due to go to that meeting, the council's planning officer says the principle of residential development is in line with the local plan allocation site and is therefore accepted.

But the officer says there have been some objections and concerns.

Jodrell Bank has objected to the development saying it would impair the efficiency of the telescopes and ask councillors to recognise that 'the cumulative impact of this and other developments is more significant than each development individually'.

The council's ecologist has raised concerns about harm to a Local Wildlife Site (LWS) caused by the construction of an internal access route linking two parts of the site.

And issues have been raised about drainage/flooding, with the report stating councillors will be updated at Wednesday's meeting about those concerns.

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 with a single access off the road frontage.

Parcel B, immediately to the east of Barn Road/Viking Way, and west of the LWS will consist of 126 dwellings. Two access points are proposed.

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

Access to that site will be via the route to the north of the LWS, with the original proposal to access onto Giantswood Lane, having been removed.

Cheshire East's planning officer states most residents' concerns were about the proposed access onto Giantswood Lane, and 'now that has been amended to an emergency access only, the majority of residents are raising no objections to the proposals'.

Hulme Walfield and Somerford Booths Parish Council has welcomed the modifications made by the applicant.

It says the applicant has maintained helpful and constructive dialogue with the parishes during their planning phases.

The application has been recommended for approval with the officer stating: "Whilst there is some harm to ecology and Jodrell Bank, this is considered to be outweighed by developing this allocated site and the benefits this brings."

The strategic planning board meeting takes place at 10am on Wednesday 31 January at Crewe Municipal Buildings.