Plans for more than 650 homes in Newton Mearns have been given the go-ahead by East Renfrewshire Council.

Targeted for completion by 2019, the joint CALA Homes (West) and Taylor Wimpey West Scotland development at Maidenhill Farm proposes to deliver around 641 new homes.

An element of ‘intermediate’ affordable housing, which will be distributed across the development as low cost private sale units, is also included in the plans.

According to the application, the balance of ‘intermediate’ affordable housing and ‘social rented’ affordable housing will be accommodated on dedicated serviced plots, to be developed in future by Registered Social Landlords and subject to separate future planning applications. This will take the ultimate total number of new homes on site to 828 units.

The detailed design proposals on the further serviced plots for the community religious facility and the community primary school with play & sports facilities will also be the subject of separate future planning applications.

Despite several councillors sharing their concerns over the existing sewer system, the plan was approved by the council’s planning committee by a majority of four votes to three.

The committee decision applies to the first 400 homes which will be connected to the existing sewer network with no requirement for it to be upgraded.

However, the committee stipulated developers must have a plan in place to bring the system up to scratch for the second phase of the development – devised in conjunction with Scottish Water – before anyone can move in.

The council also insisted all necessary checks were carried out on the development’s drainage strategy in advance of the decision, and said the plan complies with its regulations as a Flood Prevention Authority.

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesman added: “As part of any planning application for a major development a drainage strategy report is prepared by a specialist hydrologist to outline how surface water run-off will be managed. The necessary checks are then carried out to ensure the proposed measures comply with the council’s requirements in our role as Flood Prevention Authority.

“Officers are satisfied the proposals put forward for Maidenhill, which includes the installation of drainage systems at four separate parts of the site, will control surface water run-off rates at the required level.

“This application was rigorously assessed by planning officers and was subsequently approved by elected members on the planning committee. In relation to the sewage system it is also important to stress that Scottish Water, which is responsible for the area’s drainage network, did not object to the planning application.”

Managing director of CALA Homes (West), Jim McIntyre, said: “We are excited to bring to life our vision for Maidenhill which has been carefully considered throughout this process. We are committed to creating a development that complements and becomes an extension to neighbouring communities whilst meeting the housing need in Newton Mearns at the same time.”