The latest phase of a gigantic housing development in Sandymoor looks poised for approval.

Halton Council’s development management committee meets on August 7, when it is recommended to back an outline application for 250 properties on 42 acres of greenfield land off Windmill Hill Avenue East.

Dubbed Sandymoor South Phase 2, the project is part of a wider scheme by  government agency Homes England, which has seen 1,500 new properties either built or receive planning permission in the area. The agency is also drawing up plans for 600 homes on Wharford Farm, which borders Sandymoor to the south.

There have been 160 objections from local residents to the latest application, with ward councillors and Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury also raising concerns.

Cheshire Police has also asked for more more than £75,823, stating that an estimated increase in population of 575 will raise pressure on its resources.

The application site forms part of the wider Sandymoor Residential Area - which itself is the final phase of the Runcorn New Town.

Recommending approval, a report to the committee, said: “The proposed development of Sandymoor South Phase 2 will provide residential development of up to 250 new homes - including 20% affordable - on an allocated housing site in a sustainable location, contributing to the housing need for the borough and delivering a range of wider benefits to the Sandymoor neighbourhood and wider area of East Runcorn.”

The land is owned by Homes England - a non-departmental public body tasked with accelerating the delivery of housing. If planning permission is granted, it will take the project to market where private developers will bid for the work.

Homes England's plans for Sandymoor have been criticised by local campaigners and East Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury in the past, saying new housing should be built on previously developed brownfield land.

But Halton Council's planning strategy states there was an intention to develop Sandymoor as a residential neighbourhood in the Runcorn Development Corporation’s Runcorn New Town Masterplan, which dates back to the late 60s.