A major housing development has been given the go-ahead on farmland in Queensbury.

Bellway Homes has been given full permission to build 124 homes on land at Harrowins Farm, Brighouse Road.

The site was given outline planning permission for up to 155 homes in 2010, and had previously been designated for housing.

Councillor Doreen Lee said she could not see any reason to oppose the scheme as the developer had reduced the numbers of houses being built.

She said: “There’s going to be a lot more space than there was before.”

But the committee was concerned about the effects on a major junction further along Brighouse Road, and the meeting heard from a resident concerned at the impact the development would have on the road network.

A highways officer said while the development could add to congestion, the matter which the committee should consider was highway safety, and that congestion was considered “safe”.

Councillor Roger L’Amie said: “I appreciate that congestion is probably safe, but the purpose of any road or transport infrastructure is to get from A to B, not sit in a queue.”

And Councillor Shabir Hussain said: “It should be a planning consideration, because it’s affecting people’s lives. They are spending more time on the roads and not with their families.”

Councillor Valerie Binney said she would like to see a public recreation space incorporated into the plan.

But a planning officer said such spaces were often unpopular with residents as they attracted youths and that there was a park nearby.

The committee also heard there was a designated wildlife area to the east of the site, but a planning officer said the development was unlikely to disturb wildlife and that the area was of low environmental value.

Eighteen of the homes – 14.5 per cent of the development – will be designated as affordable housing.

The developer will also contribute £143,555 towards recreation and £217,370 towards education in the area, as well as improving nearby road junctions.