Cheshire East has given the go-ahead for 10 homes opposite a Crewe countryside pub, but only on condition an acceptable drainage strategy is provided.

The Acorn Motor Group applied for outline permission for the homes on the Bradfield Green site of a former petrol station, demolished in 2009 and now hardstanding used to park cars.

The Middlewich Road site is opposite the Coach and Horses on the outskirts of Crewe.

The southern planning committee was told on Wednesday 21 October, by planning officer Daniel Evans, there had been previous approvals for residential development on the sites although none have been implemented.

He said although the site is in the open countryside, the national planning policy framework does allow for the redevelopment of previously developed land.

"The only outstanding issue we've got is in terms of drainage," he told councillors.

"As it currently stands, the lead local flood authority, aren't satisfied that there's an acceptable surface water drainage solution.

"However, the applicants advise that they are resolving the outstanding technical drainage matters.

"But this can't be provided in advance of the committee and, on that basis, it's recommended that the committee delegate this application to the head of planning to determine."

Crewe councillor Ben Wye (Labour), asked about the contaminated land issue referred to in the planning officer's report.

Mr Evans said: "The site's previous use as the petrol filling station increases the risk of contamination being present on the site.

"There's been a contaminated land report submitted, and there were concerns from the council's contaminated land officer around the cost of this remediation."

He added: "The developer is saying they can remediate the site, and environmental health accept that they can."

He said conditions had been imposed in relation to this.

Brereton councillor John Wray (Conservative), proposed delegating to the head of planning to approve subject to provision of an acceptable surface water drainage strategy and this was seconded by Nantwich councillor Anna Burton (Labour).

The vote was unanimous.

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