CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 127 homes on disused land in Poole have been approved by the borough council’s planning committee.

Councillors praised developer East Street Developments for addressing the concerns it had raised when it refused the first iteration of the scheme earlier this year.

The firm had scaled-back its proposals for the site after councillors rejected its scheme in July, describing it as “a cramped version of a bad 1960s estate”.

As well as providing 95 flats and 32 houses – eight of which will be ‘affordable’ – the site will also house a play area and contribute a pedestrian crossing on Sopers Lane under the approved plans.

At Thursday’s planning committee meeting, councillors praised the work the developer had done to address their concerns.

Cllr Marion Le Poidevin said: “I do think the applicant deserves a lot of praise because in my eyes most, if not all, of the points we raised last time have been taken on board.

“I’m very happy with this – the improvements to the green space, retaining most of the affordable houses and the other changes that have been made.”

Cllr Ray Tindle echoed her praise saying that the developer had “gone a long way” to address the concerns raised in July.

Concerns had been raised by residents about the impact the development would have on traffic in the area and they were backed by Cllr Les Burden who also raised the potential of the site’s ground being contaminated due to its previous use as a Royal Ordnance factory.

Wessex Water had also objected to the proposals, warning about the potential impact of odour from its nearby treatment works.

However, the issue had been deemed acceptable by council officers and councillors questioned why the issue had not been raised when the first plans were submitted.

The application had been recommended for approval by council officers who said that the development was “acceptable” and that the site had been allocated in its newly-adopted local plan.

Councillors agreed to grant permission for East Street Developments’ scheme on the condition that a zebra crossing be built on Sopers Lane.