Controversial plans to build 139 houses on the site of a sports and social club in Runcorn are set to be approved next week.

The proposal from Sheffield-based Gleeson Homes to bulldoze the Pavilions on Sandy Lane raised objections when they were first submitted in 2017, with neighbours expressing concern about its proximity to the UK’s largest energy-from-waste plant.

Objectors feared residents of the new development would suffer from noise and smells caused by the plant.

One of the residents who commented on the proposals said: “I think it is crazy to build so near to the Ineos incinerator which we have all campaigned against.

“My home has lost about £20,000 in value since the incinerator has been built. Your new homes on the site of the old ICI Rec couldn’t be nearer to this monstrosity.”  But planning officers at Halton Council have recommended the plans be approved, subject to certain conditions, at a meeting of the council’s planning committee on Monday (October 5).

The officers’ report for the committee said noise from the plant was “not pervasively loud” and while odour was “detectable at the boundary of the energy from waste site on some occasions”, it was not bad enough to sustain refusing the application.

The plans would also see the loss of most of the pitches at the Pavilions Club, but Runcorn Town FC’s ground and the neighbouring bowling greens would be retained with the football club being offered a long lease for the premises.

To make up for the loss of the grass pitches and other open space, Gleeson Homes has proposed contributing £570,481 towards alternative provision in Runcorn, which planning officers said would be acceptable and mean an objection from Sport England could be withdrawn.

The proposed development has been backed by Runcorn Town FC, which has secured agreement from the existing landowner that they will be offered a long lease on the site.

In a letter to the council’s planning department, the club’s committee said: “As a committee, we are actually looking forward to the development with Gleeson’s coming to fruition and planning permission being approved by the council.

“A 99-year lease on the site has been provisionally agreed between solicitors of the football club and Severn Leisure upon planning permission being granted, something that we have long aspired towards as a club.

“A long term lease such as what has been agreed will help safeguard the football club’s future, and also allow us the opportunity to develop our facilities further with assistance from national bodies.

“We have a five-year plan in place that includes a community facility and third generation pitch that will greatly benefit the community of both Weston Point and Runcorn as a whole.”

Halton’s planning officers concluded: “It is considered that the proposed scheme would not have adverse impact that would outweigh its benefits through the provision of a range of homes in accordance with Halton’s spatial strategy whilst ensuring that greenspace and playing pitch provision is appropriately mitigated.”

The council’s planning committee will meet on Monday evening and will be asked to give officers authority to approve the plans, provided a Section 106 agreement can be agreed to secure the promised payments.