BUSINESS units in Northwich have been given the green light despite fears over anti-social behaviour and road safety.

Cheshire West and Chester’s planning committee rubber-stamped proposals for the two units on land at Griffiths Park Industrial Estate off Middlewich Road.

Each unit will be two stories, with the ground floors designated for industrial, storage or distribution use, and the top floors for office space.

But the plans were called in by Cllr Sam Naylor on behalf of local residents. Addressing the committee, he said: “The circumstances and history surrounding this application over the last two years have proven to be one of the most difficult and challenging experiences in my time as a councillor.

“The past two years, the land at the rear has been nothing short of a nightmare. We’ve had fires, parties, continuous noise, anti-social behaviour, visits by the police and fire brigade. Incidents and activities which have been the bane not only for councillors and officers, but more importantly for the residents.”

He added that he felt the entrance and exit from  the road was ‘dangerous’.

He said: “I did 33 years in the police, mostly in CID, but for three months I worked in the traffic department. I was there (the application site) today and I’m telling you now,  that view from the right when you’re exiting that junction is not safe.”

Councillors questioned whether the committee could insist on the installation of gates to secure the site and protect it from antisocial behaviour. Officers said that was outside of planning legislation but that an advisory could be added requesting that the applicant use the ‘most secure boundary treatments’.

Moving approval, Cllr Tommy Blackmore, said: "It gives us more control by giving approval of the site and it’s a place that needs employment, therer’s two places and maybe more will come.”

The plans were passed with 10 voting in favour and one abstaining.