The developer behind the Glebe Farm scheme at Middlewich has reduced the number of homes proposed from 405 to 390.

Outline approval for the development at Booth Lane, Moston, was granted in February.

The reserved matters application from Taylor Wimpey, which deals with the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the scheme, was deferred by Cheshire East in March because councillors wanted to see the smaller three-bedroom properties replaced with two-bed houses.

The amended application, which will go before the strategic planning board again tomorrow (July 27), sees the number of two-bed properties increase from 47 to 89, the number of three-bed homes decrease from 269 to 202 and the number of four-bedroom increase from 77 to 87.

The number of one-bedroom properties remains the same at 12.

The application also includes a retail unit and public open space.

It has been recommended for approval by the council's planning officer despite claims from British Salt that because of the access at Warmingham Lane, 'as designed there is no means for British Salt to access, repair, replace or upgrade their in-situ pipelines'.

But the council's planning officer states, in his report to go before tomorrow's meeting: "The access points including the access point onto Warmingham Lane were approved as part of the outline application and this application does not represent an opportunity to reconsider the access to the site.

"The issue is a civil matter between the two parties and is not an issue that can be considered in the determination of this reserved matters application."

Middlewich Town Council has objected to the application due to concerns over traffic.

It also says improvements to infrastructure, doctors, and schools are required.

Moston Parish Council has also objected saying the development will have a major impact on the locality, adding to the fact houses are being built in the area with a lack of infrastructure.

The parish council adds: "The applicants seem to have begun a process of seeking to make changes to the outline permission, changes which, if accepted, would increase the use of Warmingham Lane which does not have the capacity to cope with extra traffic."

Letters of objection have also been sent to the council from seven residents.

In recommending the application be approved, the planning officer states: "The housing mix has now been amended to provide a greater proportion of two bed units as requested by strategic planning board in March."

He said the development will not have a detrimental impact upon residential amenity and the design has been revised and is now acceptable.

He adds: "The proposed access points and the traffic impact as part of this development have already been accepted. The internal design of the highway layout and parking provision is considered to be acceptable."

The meeting takes place at 10am tomorrow (July 27)at Crewe Municipal Buildings.