A 320-home development on the outskirts of Windsor has taken another major step towards being built after councillors approved detailed plans.

Developers Vistry Homes plans to build the development behind the Aldi on Dedworth Road, between Windsor and Oakley Green. An outline of the scheme, which also includes a special educational needs school had already been granted planning permission on June 30 last year.

Councillors at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead were asked to approve more detailed plans for its appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the development at a meeting on Thursday, October 3.

But neighbours and some councillors said problems with he original plans meant it should be refused. Martin Hall, chair of the Oakley Green residents association said there were ‘safety concerns’ over the fact there would be only one access into the development for new occupants.

He said: “The existing Aldi access is unsafe and the new site entrance will represent a double hazard for pedestrians.”

Nick Pellew from Bray Parish Council warned of traffic jams on the A308 as a result of increased traffic into the development and new crossings. He said: “Cars will be backed up in both directions adding to the existing tailbacks from Squires roundabout.”

He said a staggered underpass should be built at the Squires roundabout to mitigate the impact of the new traffic.

Caroline Belmont of Vistry Thames Valley said that developers had added a second access for emergency vehicles from Windsor Road. She said a number of pedestrian and cycle routes in and out of the site, as well as a car club, could reduced car journeys.

And she said approving the detailed application for the homes would pave the way for the SEN school to be built. Detailed plans for this will also need to be approved in a separate application.

But councillor Wisdom da Costa argued that as outline plans didn’t include the emergency access, the council had no way to legally enforce its use. He called for further approvals to be deferred or refused until this and other issues were resolved.

But council planning officers said that details of access had already been approved in the initial application.

Councillors on the Windsor and Ascot development management committee also said they had no reason in planning law to refuse the application. Councillor Julian Sharpe said he would have to vote to approve it ‘with a heavy heart’.

And councillor Julian Tisi noted that homes would be built there ‘eventually’ as the site was designated for housing in the borough local plan, which sets out where development should take place.

Councillors voted to approve the plans with five in favour and three against.