AN affordable housing development backing onto the Hanging Gate in Weaverham has been given the green light despite traffic concerns.

The plans, for seven cottages on the hardstanding area north of the pub – formerly home to Woodward’s Café – in Sandy Lane – were approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council on April 18.

Applicant Goldfinch Pension Scheme had previously lodge plans to build eight homes on the same site but withdrew the application following consultation feedback.

Approving the latest application, a CWAC planning officer wrote: “The average home in Cheshire West and Chester now costs £232,213 which is 8.2 times a typical local salary.

“The income required to obtain a mortgage is over £53,000 which makes home ownership impossible for many.

“Evidence would suggest a range of affordable dwellings are needed across the parish, in particular smaller one and two-bedroom general needs and older person and three-plus-bedroom general needs accommodation.”

Despite support for the plans, including a 281-signature petition backing the affordable housing plans, concerns were raised over the highways impact. Access to the site would be constructed opposite Shady Brook Lane.

A comment from The Weaverham Trust said it supported affordable housing in the area, but not at this location due to ‘dangerous’ traffic – in part due to growing developments at Winnington.

It said: “The major road safety issues raised have not been addressed.

“Vehicles stationary while trying to turn right into Shadybrook Lane or the new development will be at risk from traffic heading northward. Regular police speed radar checks catch many drivers exceeding the limit significantly.

“Shadybrook Lane is dangerous enough already with people using it as a ‘rat run’ and forcing drivers entering off Sandy Lane to reverse back into Sandy Lane.

“Furthermore, even with new footpaths, the site will be dangerous for pedestrians as most will try to cross directly rather than use the longer route past the Hanging Gate and round.

“Pedestrians are in greater danger than motorists from vehicles coming unsighted past the Hanging Gate.”

The two-storey, two-bedroom properties are described as similar to existing white cottages in Sandy Lane, are to be let and later sold as affordable housing.

Set in a courtyard design, four of the homes will be semi-detached facing the road, with the remaining three set further back.