HUNDREDS of campaigners have failed to stop a development of houses and a block affordable of flats in Hale.

Blueprints for the controversial build, located at the council-owned Brown Street car park, include 10 four-storey homes ­— and 12 apartments ­— were given the go-ahead.

A new two-storey car park is also planned with one space allocated for each townhouse -and the remaining 57 for public use.

However, the plans by Novo Property Solutions and Southway Housing Trust were met with fierce opposition from residents ­— and split councillors. 

John Groves, speaking on behalf of the community during Thursday’s planning meeting, labelled the scheme as "flawed".

He said: “Planning officers have demonstrated considerable skill in justifying a flawed proposal for the sake of the authority’s corporate aspirations.

“However, the weaknesses of the proposal cannot be disguised.

“We agree that housing is needed, but not at all costs ­— and 400 objectors disagree there is anything exemplary with this design.”

He argued the scheme ‘banned’ those living in the flats from owning a car ­— and the design was "massively" out of character for the area.

Councillors Allan Mitchel, Louise Haddad ­— and Patricia Young also spoke against the development ­— and called for it to be refused.

They argued it didn’t "deliver" any benefit for the area – and described the car park as "poorly designed".

However, Cllr James Wright disagreed and said the scheme will provide affordable homes in the most unaffordable part of the borough.

He argued: “The car park is underutilised and in poor condition.

“This scheme has been designed to a very high standard with an emphasis on affordability.

“Hale is a wonderful place with fantastic facilities, but for too many people it has become an unaffordable place to live.”

He told members they had a choice between an unused car park or £6 million worth of investment and 22 new homes.

Meanwhile, councillors Michael Whetton, Daniel Bunting ­— and Karen Barclay labelled the site as "overbearing"  and called for a redesign.

Cllr Whetten added: “In all my years of sitting on this committee I have never known an application to create such a strong amount of opposition.

“A huge strength of feeling has been demonstrated to us that this scheme is unwanted in so many ways.”

However, councillors Geraldine Coggins and Steven Longden both said the number of affordable homes on offer was a fundamental reason to support the application. 

“Crucially, this site will deliver more than 50pc affordable housing ­— and that is quite remarkable,” said CoCllrun Coggins.

She said: “The stark reality is young people from this area will never be able to own their own home in Hale.

“So, for me, this massive amount of desperately needed affordable accommodation is tiling the balance for my support.”