The green light has been given to plans to transform the Old Hempstead Fuel Depot in Gloucester into 70 homes.

The site has sat empty for years and has a long planning history dating back to 2007 with various plans for up to 152 homes withdrawn and refused.

The latest proposal by Worcester homebuilder Lioncourt Homes reduced the number of homes from 117 to 70 but was still opposed by residents over fears it would turn Honeythorn Close into a rat run.

The council received 12 letters of objection with worries raised about anti-social behaviour and burglary, an increased risk of an accident and crime on the road, parking problems and an increase in dog fouling.

However, officers recommended the application for approval and councillors agreed- giving the nod for the former Ministry of Defence site to be razed to the ground and a development named Priory Meadows built.

It will contain a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses, apartments, maisonettes and bungalows providing nine one-beds, 15 two-bed, 27 three-bed, 15 four-bed and four five-bed homes as well as three self-build plots.

A fifth of the homes will be affordable and the estate will have a vehicular access onto Hempsted Lane.

The site neighbours the Hempsted Conservation Area and is located within the setting of the Grade II listed Newark House. It was constructed in 1830 on the remains of an earlier 17th Century house and Llanthony Priory Grange. Protected monument St Margaret's Well is also nearby.

Council officers said Lioncourt has "comprehensively revised" its design to make the scheme acceptable to the council's conservation officer and the impact on the setting of the historic sites has been mitigated by the proposed planting and the design quality of the development.

In its planning statement Lioncourt Homes said: "The proposals would enable a redundant brownfield site to be re-established, and create a sustainable development within an accessible urban area."

The plans were approved at a meeting of Gloucester City Council development control committee on May 2 but amended to prevent pedestrian access onto Honeythorn Close.