Controversial plans for a large housing estate in Tattenhall look set to be approved, after previously being deferred over concerns raised by planning chiefs.

Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning committee meets next Thursday where it is recommended to rubber-stamp 110 properties on land at Chester Road in Tattenhall.

The application has proven controversial, with opposition from both the ward councillor Mike Jones and the parish council.

The plans were called in to the planning committee by Cllr Jones and deferred in May to allow further consideration of several issues of concern to the committee, primarily the housing mix.

Committee members expressed concern that the scheme was weighted towards larger properties and sought a more 'balanced' mix which would be 'better aligned with local needs'. Additional issues relating to air quality and sewage capacity were also highlighted.

The 16-acre site is located in the countryside and the planned housing includes 10 one-bed properties, 22 two bed houses, 37 three beds, 34 four-bedroom properties and seven five beds.

More than a hundred representations had been received to date, the majority of which raise objections to the proposal.

Tattenhall Parish Council also objected, citing concerns that the development would fail to provide the necessary infrastructure or services to support Tettenhall, that its location in open countryside would cause visual harm through the urbanisation of a key gateway into the area, intrusion into the skyline and reduced separation between Tattenhall and Gatesheath.

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It also argued that it would lead to the loss of agricultural land, natural ponds and associated biodiversity.

Another layer of complexity has been added by the fact an updated community-led planning strategy for the area – the Tattenhall and District Neighbourhood Plan – is currently working its way through the process of being adopted.

Once implemented, it will carry legal weight regarding what can and cannot be built in the area.

However, Cheshire West currently has a predicted housing shortfall over the next five years following expanded government targets, and this local strategy has not yet been fully adopted.

A report to the planning committee stated that only 'limited weight' should be attributed to the neighbourhood plan at this stage.

It noted: "There is no requirement in legislation or national policy to delay the determination of planning applications pending the progression of an emerging neighbourhood plan.

"On the contrary, the planning system expects applications to be determined in a timely manner 'without delay' based on the policies and material considerations in place at the time of decision, rather than on the possibility of increased weight being afforded to emerging plans at a future date."

Recommending approval, the report concluded: "The proposal would deliver 110 dwellings, including 33 affordable homes, making a substantial contribution towards meeting identified housing needs and addressing the borough-wide shortfall in affordable housing."

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