Work is expected to start in about four months' time on an affordable homes scheme on the site of the former Ivy House in Macclesfield.

Cheshire East's northern planning committee gave the go-ahead on Wednesday (October 4) for the scheme from Peaks and Plains Housing for 29 affordable family homes to be built on the land off Ivy Road.

The application has been delegated back to officers for final approval so the committee chair, officers and ward councillors can come to agreement over a small parking area.

Ward councillor Mary Brooks (Lab), speaking as a visiting councillor, told the committee the homes were much needed in the time of a housing crisis and 'it's been very frustrating that this application has been delayed for such a long time'.

She added: "I'm pleased to see that the feedback from residents has informed the final plans."

The applicant's agent, Paul Jeffrey said the developer had worked hard with residents and officers to produce a high quality scheme.

Concerns were raised by a couple of councillors about whether existing residents living nearby would still have access to parking. The agent said they would – and it was agreed the exact details around this would be decided after the meeting, which was why the application was deferred back to the planners.

Wilmslow councillor Michael Gorman (Ind) welcomed the scheme but said: "Is there further assessment needed about the safety of pedestrians and schoolchildren on Ivy Road because of the increase in vehicle movements? Cars come into that dip opposite a primary school at a rate of knots. Do we need speed reduction in that area. Is there further assessment and some conditions needed?"

The former Ivy House in Macclesfield. (Google)

Highways officer Neil Jones said the development would only be adding a few extra vehicles so it would be unfair to ask the developer to pay for traffic calming. He added the site had previously been residential.

Macclesfield councillor Nick Mannion (Lab) welcomed the development.

"It's a good scheme by a responsible landowner and developer, it's all affordable, there's mixed properties on the development," he said.

Congleton councillor Sally Holland (Con) proposed the application be approved [and delegated back] and praised the applicant for including bungalows in the scheme.

Cllr Fiona Wilson (Macclesfield, Lab) seconded the move to approve and said: "It's very important to remember the eyesore that was there in the first place. It's two years ago it's been knocked down and we really, really have to look at this as being a major, major, positive development for Macclesfield. "

The application was delegated back to officers to approve once the minor parking issue had been resolved. Eleven councillors voted in favour and one abstained.