STRICT conditions on flooding surveys and tree planting have been imposed on a 13-home development in Leftwich.

The plans – submitted in July for a site boxed in by Dunham Road, Brooklands Drive, Woodpecker Drive and London Road – were approved by a planning committee on Tuesday despite concerns raised by residents and councillors.

Fears over the removal of 21 mature trees were a key sticking point, with long-term residents saying they played a vital role in soaking up water which had in years gone by caused gardens to flood.

Speaking on behalf of his Kingfisher Drive neighbours, Mike Adamson said the trees had been planted to soak up water from a former stream that ran through the site.

Councillors unsuccessfully asked for deferral for further information, but planning officers reassured committee members that ground surveys must be completed before construction begins, and that trees will be replanted in the area – albeit off site.

Cllr Charles Fifield said: “The actual proposal for housing there, I am fairly comfortable with. What I am not comfortable with is the potential that there could be flooding there.

“The applicant is fairly sure that isn’t an issue, but if it comes out that local residents there for 40 years are correct it would allow suitable alternative arrangements to be made.”

Leftwich’s Cheshire West and Chester Council member Cllr Andrew Cooper had called the application in, and spoke in favour of deferring the discussion until more information was available.

Council officers said the applicant would need to conduct a ground survey before work could begin, and that they have offered to plant trees. Space constraints mean that would not occur within the development.

Although the site is predominantly allocated as a low flood risk there are soakaway plans within each of the 13 plots, and officers pointed out that there was ‘no longer evidence’ of the stream.

Cllr Tom Blackmore said: “This area is a whole housing estate. There is no history of flooding and no conceivable objection.”

Cllr Samantha Dixon called for replacement tree planting, and pointed out that ‘the experts were consulted and the experts don’t have a problem’ with the flood risk.

The application was approved.