Final sign off for a 230-home estate in the Forest of Dean could be given this week.

The housing development, proposed to be built on green fields in land north of Southend Lane in Newent, was granted outline permission last year and will face final approval on May 27 by Forest of Dean District Council’s planning committee.

More than 30 residents and Newent Town Council have objected to the new estate, with concerns about affordable housing and access in and out of the site.

Council officers have recommended reserved matters for the development should be approved at next week’s meeting as details of layout, parking and open space are “acceptable”.

The development comprises of 230 residential properties which are made up of 138 open market homes of two, three and four bedrooms.

The affordable housing split is 92 propertiers made up from one-bedroom apartments and two, three, four and five-bedroom houses.

Gloucestershire County Council’s public rights of way department has retracted its objection to the plan to build on a public footpath following discussions with the developer.

The county council’s highways team has also made no objection to the access into the development.

A district council document said: “Overall it is considered that the scale and impact of the development upon living conditions and character and appearance is acceptable and will not adversely harm the surrounding area.

“The details of the layout, parking, open space and landscaping are also considered to be acceptable.”

A design and access statement submitted by the developer to the district council said: “Newent historic settlement can help influence the place making and architectural principles for this development with many of the key design features across being incorporated into the scheme.

“This approach will help provide a strong link between the site and the ‘original’ Newent.

“The proposed layout represents a combination of an understanding of the site and its context along with consultation discussions.”