PLANS to build 25 homes on land in Crewe have been recommended for approval even though the site is allocated for a pub and shops.

Taylor Wimpey has applied to Cheshire East Council to build the homes on land north of Broad Street.

The site is part of the wider Stoneley Park development, where planning permission was granted in 2013 for a mixed use commercial/residential development, with the current site shown as providing the commercial area consisting of retail and a public house.

Cheshire East says although the loss of the land for commercial use would be regrettable "it has been demonstrated through marketing evidence that the commercial element is not viable".

The planning officer's report due to go before tomorrow's (August 25) southern planning committee states: "The submitted marketing report has demonstrated that the site has been sufficiently marketed for the commercial use but this has returned no interested parties and as such demonstrates that the commercial element of the outline scheme is not viable currently and unlikely to be so moving forward.

"There is also no planning control imposed to the outline scheme which actually requires the commercial elements to be delivered, so there is a risk that this part of the site could simply be left undeveloped in light of the commercial element being unviable."

The application was first considered by the southern planning committee in October last year but deferred because of concerns about parking, play space provided within the site, the lack of a flood risk report and clarification as to why no education response was required.

These concerns are addressed in the recent report and show no objection regarding flood concerns, and a new layout has been submitted for parking provision.

There is now a request for a total education contribution of £119,603.

The council has received 40 letters from residents opposed to the scheme.

Objections include the argument that existing properties are still for sale on the wider development; the site is currently being used as green space by children and should remain undeveloped; fears of increased traffic and congestion; a potential harm to wildlife and that the approved plans show a pub and shop and this should remain.

The officer states in the report that, although the site lies largely in the open countryside the principle of the residential development of the site has already been established by approval of the wider scheme.

He continues: "The development would provide benefits in terms of 30 per cent affordable housing provision, open market provision and delivery of economic benefits during construction and through the spending of future occupiers.

"The development would have a neutral impact upon design, flooding, living conditions, trees, landscape, highways, ecology, design, air quality and contaminated land."

The officer has recommended councillors approve the application.

The meeting takes place at Sandbach Town Hall, starting at 10am.