PLANNING permission has been granted for 148 new homes in Moulton after an appeal.

Richborough Estates submitted plans for the new estate, on land off Barnside Way, which were turned down by Cheshire West and Chester Council's strategic planning committee in May.

Richborough Estates appealed against this decision and a four-day public inquiry was held in October.

The decision to allow the appeal and permit the development was made by inspector Alan Boyland on December 30.

He wrote that Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) cannot demonstrate the required five-year housing supply and that the plans would not substantially effect the character of Moulton or erode the buffer between Moulton and Davenham.

He said: "I have found that the proposed development would cause only limited harm and policy conflict.

"This would be outweighed by the contribution that the development would make towards meeting the need for housing, including affordable housing, in the area arising from national policy and the council’s social and economic objectives.

"For the reasons given above I conclude that the appeal should be allowed."