PLANS to build 75 homes on a former Ellesmere Port industrial estate have been withdrawn.

The proposed development had been earmarked for a vacant brownfield site off Cromwell Road.

However, developer Lane End Group last week confirmed to Cheshire West and Chester Council that it was withdrawing its planning application.

The housing scheme would have provided a total of 30 one-bedroom apartments along with 19 two-bedroom and 26 three-bedroom homes, of which all were to be made available for a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership.

The reason for the withdrawal is not fully clear but appears to relate to the council following guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

In publicly available documents showing email correspondence between Lane End Group and the council, the authority's senior planning officer states: "I would not be of the view that the provision of affordable housing would override the ‘advise against’ position of the HSE."

In response, the developer said: "On this basis can we please withdraw the application."

Lane End Group told The Standard that as the plans have been withdrawn they did not wish to comment further.

According to the planning documents for the scheme, the site formerly housed the sports grounds associated with the Mersey iron works.

The sports ground and club were built in 1939.

An industrial estate soon followed and this occupied the site unit 2010.