Cheshire East has given the go-ahead for up to 120 homes in the open countryside at Congleton – and insisted work must start on the scheme within three years.

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

At Thursday's (March 5) meeting of the strategic planning board, Cllr Hannah Moss (Mobberley, Con) raised concerns about the impact on Jodrell Bank, as the University of Manchester, which manages the telescope, had objected to the application over concerns it would impair its efficiency.

She was told by planning officers that this application was on the outskirts of the Jodrell Bank consultation zone, some distance away.

It was also a condition that specialised design and construction techniques be used to mitigate impacts on the operation of Jodrell Bank.

The applicant's agent, Jon Suckley, told the meeting: "Providing up to 120 new homes, including policy compliant 30 per cent affordable housing, on this sustainable site will represent a very logical extension to Congleton."

He said the development would also deliver a range of highways improvements, including a new toucan crossing on Sandbach Road, realignment of the bus laybys and a new bus shelter, as well as a new cycle and footway along Sandbach Road.

Cllr Stewart Gardiner (Knutsford, Con) was concerned the introduction of the new bus shelter involved removing the layby so the bus would be stopping on the road.

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He said: "Given that you are effectively increasing the potential danger – I'm not saying that there is one – but a potential danger by removing an existing bus layby – would it not be appropriate that there was a road traffic order to reduce the speed of vehicles in this location, and that that should be part of the application funded by the developer?"

Somerford Parish Council, as a consultee, had also called for the limit to be reduced to 30mph along a stretch of the road.

Highways officer Andrew Goligher said it was possible to ask the applicant for a further £5,000 as part of the S106 agreement to fund an assessment to see if there was a need for a speed reduction.

Congleton councillor Heather Seddon (Lab) said she could not see a reason to refuse the application.

Cllr Gardiner proposed it be approved because the council does not have a five-year housing land supply.

He also asked that the reserved matters application for the scheme be submitted within two years and work should start within three – all of which was agreed.

It was also agreed the applicant would provide the additional £5,000 funding for the transport survey and an extra condition was added stating that permitted development rights would be removed from the new properties to protect Jodrell Bank.

The application was approved, 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.

Nine councillors voted in favour and one abstained.