MIKE Amesbury is supporting Kingsley residents in their challenge against an approved scheme for homes on the greenbelt.

The Weaver Vale MP has written to Cheshire West and Chester Council after it gave permission for 15 ‘affordable’ houses on land off Higher Heyes Drive.

He told the Guardian: “I am broadly opposed to any development on greenbelt land unless there are truly exceptional circumstances, but I’m also not convinced about this proposal’s claims to be ‘affordable’ housing, seeing as they start at around £250,000.”

Kingsley Parish Council has written to Sajid Javid, secretary of state for communities and local government, urging him to call the decision in for a public inquiry.

It conducted its own housing survey five years ago, which proposed a site closer to the village on brownfield land as a better spot for affordable housing.

Cllr Brian Clarke, CWAC cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, has defended the decision to approve the scheme at a planning committee meeting on December 5, 2017.

He said: “The development of such sites does require detailed and compelling justification and members were satisfied that the applicant had met the strict tests as set out in adopted planning policy.

“At present, officers are negotiating with the applicant towards the completion of a legal agreement to enable the permission to be issued.”