BUILDERS behind a major development in Chester can now keep their options open for the site after securing fresh backing from councillors.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee gave the green light for Redrow and Taylor Wimpey to build 1,269 homes off Wrexham Road at last January’s meeting.

The scheme, which was made up of two full planning applications, comprises the King's Moat Garden Village and includes a village centre with a supermarket, shops, a pub, a nursery and a primary school.

Twelve months on, CWaC’s planning committee has now given the developers separate outline permission for the same site, for up to 1,400 homes along with the village centre.

In a written statement to CWaC, the developers explained that this new decision would give them flexibility should they need to change their scheme while it is built out.

The statement said: “It is anticipated that the delivery of the site at Wrexham Road could take approximately 13 to 14 years to complete.

“Given the anticipated time associated with the delivery of the site, it is likely that there will be changes to the market in terms of the demand for specific types of homes and their associated credentials.

“As a result, the house types may need to be amended to reflect changes in the market over a considerable period of time.”

If the developers decide to change their plans from what was approved last year, they will need to bring another reserved matters planning application back before the council.

Brian O’Connor, representing the developer, told the planning committee meeting on Thursday, January 23, that the developers would also provide ‘significantly increased’ contributions through new rates of the Community Infrastructure Levy.

However, the developers have faced opposition from Westminster Park Residents’ Association, over fears the project could be watered down from the original scheme.

A written statement to CWaC said: “Westminster Park Residents’ Association is concerned that the ‘flexibility’ sought by the developers will allow them to renege on some of the fundamental components of the non-housing parts of the development, particularly the school and other ‘community’ facilities as has been seen in other recent developments.”

Chester Business Park and King’s School, based opposite the development on the other side of Wrexham Road, both raised concerns about a potential increase in homes from the approved plans.

Cllr Razia Daniels, Conservative member for Handbridge Park, also objected to the scheme – telling the committee there is ‘no proper infrastructure in place’ for the development and requesting the number of new homes is limited to 1,269.

But officers moved to reassure the committee that all assessments for transport and infrastructure were carried out by the developers with up to 1,400 homes in mind.

Members voted unanimously to approve the application.

Work has already begun on the northern part of the site, where 786 homes are expected to be built along with sports facilities, including a floodlit 3G pitch.