A VAST housing estate and industrial park on the outskirts of Cirencester could take shape after Cotswold District Council gave the green light to provisional plans for 270 homes and two business parks in Kingshill.

But with the plans including affordable housing aimed at those who earn £50,000 a year, and developers offering a miserly £50,000 towards community facilities, members of the council's planning committee were not totally impressed with the scheme.

Other concerns revolved around congestions worries in areas like the five-ways junction on London Road which councillors feared would be exacerbated by the increase in residents.

The development is planned for the north eastern edge of Cirencester, between Burford Road and London Road, and will comprise 270 flats and houses and at least one general store.

Outline planning permission was also granted for a 13-acre business park next to the estate and a 14.8-acre business park at Siddington Park Farm, Preston.

CDC planning officer Mike Napper told the committee the developer, Robert Hitchins Ltd, had not yet decided on the proportion of affordable housing to be included but had offered to include 120 affordable houses using goverment money set aside for housing.

The commitee gasped in astonishment as Mr Napper said: "For a two-bedroom house worth £196,000 we are looking at purchasers requring an income of £50,000."

Cllr CaroleTopple (Riversmeet, Cons) said: "When we asked the public what they wanted they said more rental and shared ownership properties. This is not affordable."

Members were also shocked by the sum offered by the developers towards the cost of community facilities - £50,000 for a community hall which is estimated to cost £600,000 in total.

Councillor Peter Braidwood (Beeches, Cons) insisted the plans had to provide more community facilities.

"Do we want to be a pleasant Cotswold market town or another faceless dormitary town?" he asked.

Cllr John Burgess (Cirencester, Beeches, Cons) said: "My view is that these developments are an enlargement of the Beeches Ward and it is important we concentrate on not just building houses but building communities."

Cllr John Birch (Thames Head, Cons) added: "The hall will cost £600,000 and the developers propose to contribute £50,000 so presumably CDC will provide the rest of the funds and we are going to be faced with a very large bill very soon."

The plans aimed to ease traffic concerns by including traffic lights at the Burford Road/London Road junction to relieve the strain and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists while a dedicated left-turn lane on the London Road roundabout could ease congestion.

But Cllr Braidwood commented: "The traffic in London Road is almost at gridlock already - 270 more houses in the area means possibly another 500 cars."

Cllr Clive Bennett (Water Park, Cons) said there were distinct benefits but also urged caution.

"I welcome the introduction of more employment for this area but we have to consider the impact it will have on a small rural village like Preston," he said. "It is absolutely imperative that Kingshill Lane does not become a rat run form the north of town to the south."