A LARGE affordable housing development has been given the green light despite objections from nearby residents.

Wates Residential has been granted permission to build a total of 33 houses and eight flats on land at Nant Y Gro, Gronant as part of Flintshire Council's strategic housing and regeneration (SHARP) programme.

Almost 60 letters were received objecting to the new homes, including two from members of parliament, however the authority's planning committee backed the proposals at its meeting yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of neighbouring residents, planning consultant Kerry James said they had 'significant concerns' about the impact the development would have on road safety at Gronant Hill.

She said: "Gronant Hill is a steep and narrow road which already suffers from heavy traffic, including large heavy goods vehicles and double decker buses.

"For the most part the lane is not wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other, indeed the lane is the same now as that shown on maps dating back to 1871.

"In addition, Gronant Hill has no pavements but is in constant use by pedestrians, including by children walking to school.

"The current situation already poses significant risk to highway safety with cars being forced onto driveways on the hill to avoid oncoming vehicles.

"These dangers will be escalated with an additional 41 dwellings, notwithstanding construction traffic."

Among the objectors to the proposals were members of Llanasa Community Council, who said the existing infrastructure in the village was insufficient to meet the needs of an additional 40 plus families.

They added that no account had been taken of the impact on local health services.

However, Steve Jones from architects Halliday Clark said the plans were a 'fundamental' part of the council's SHARP scheme and that new residents would follow those who already live there in travelling to facilities outside the area.

The new homes were also backed by Gronant councillor Sian Braun, who said she had spoken to people both for and against the plans.

She said: "I’d like to start by saying that a number of residents have contacted me to ask me to speak against on the grounds of highways and drainage on site which do need looking into and should be addressed.

"The majority of people who have contacted me have asked me to speak in favour. The primary school is wholly in favour of the development as it has a lot of space available in the school and it is struggling at the moment.

"Smaller businesses in the village are also welcoming of these proposals as they see that it can only provide them with more customers and secure their businesses for the future.

"I have also been asked to speak on behalf of residents in the village who have put their names down for these dwellings, who are living in not the best conditions, who live in poor rental properties and who want security for their families."

Councillors chose to back the proposals by a unanimous vote.