PLANS to build 120 homes on Harwell Campus were given unanimous approval by local councillors.

Harwell Science and Innovation Campus applied for the permission with the help of property consultants Kemp and Kemp.

The six-hectare plot of land on the northern edge of the campus, between Curie Avenue and North Drive, is the former site of RAF Harwell.

It is recommended as a suitable location to build 400 houses in the draft version of the new Local Plan for development in the Vale.

Councillor Margaret Turner said: “Although the parish council has no objections, it wants Section 106 money to enhance facilities for people who live there, present and future.”

Councillor Roger Cox said: “This is a brown field site, and I think this is a very good use for it.”

In line with Vale policy, 48 of the homes will be affordable social housing, distributed evenly and discreetly throughout the estate.

At present there are 13 houses on the site, all but four of which are boarded up. The Kidsunlimited campus day nursery will be retained.

The developer will now have to submit a more detailed plan showing exactly how houses will be laid out within the next six months.

Harwell campus was granted exemption from new planning laws to allow offices to be converted into housing without planning permission.