An abandoned haulage depot next to the canal could be transformed if plans for 88 homes get the go ahead.

Councillors are due to meet this week to decide on proposals for the site alongside Macclesfield Canal on Gunco Lane which was formerly a haulage yard for R H Stevens Transport Ltd.

The derelict site is now vacant with warehouse buildings mainly cleared. A plan for 124 homes was approved in 2010 but was never built.

Developer Bellway Homes has now submitted a planning application for 58 three bed dwellings and 30 four bed dwellings, parking for every home and landscaping. The access road would be from Gunco Lane just south of its current position.

The developer states the plans are a good use of a brownfield site when Macclesfield needs more homes and the green belt is at risk Local Plan which is being finalised.

While neighbours have expressed concerns over the impact on traffic they have also come out in favour of the application on the council’s planning website.

Virginia McDermott, of Gunco Lane, said: “This development would make excellent use of a brownfield site instead of selling off greenbelt land.”

Documents submitted for the developer state benefits include ‘new housing to meet a local need, redevelopment of previously developed land and improvements to the Conservation Area.’

A sticking point is affordable homes. The plans only include 10 homes, with the developer stating it’s not viable to provide more, but this is below the council’s requirement for 30per cent affordable dwellings. The developer states the site was historically used as a marl pit and this has resulted in high development costs.

Keith Smith, from Macclesfield Civic Society, states in documents to the council that the proportion of affordable dwellings is too low.

He said: “At least 20 units should be affordable rather than the number proposed. At least the previous high density scheme would reflect the character of the locality whereas the new scheme has less dwellings and a higher proportion of open market dwellings.”

Planning officers have recommended the application for approval. Members of the Northern Planning Committee are due to meet today (Wednesday) at 10am at Macclesfield Town Hall.