The fate of controversial plans to build 142 homes in a Warwickshire village will be decided by councillors tonight. The scheme, for Ryton-on-Dunsmore involves building on a large patch of open land in the village. But in return for losing the fields developers have pledged to plough cash into the local community.

The project would see 142 homes, including two bedroomed terraces, three bedroomed semi-detched and four bedroomed detached houses built on land off Leamington Road, Ryton – just a few miles outside Coventry’s suburbs. When it was first announced the scheme caused outrage among local people who feared their village, which has just one small grocery store, would be inundated with people and cars they were ill equipped to deal with.

The parish council mounted a protest campaign but local borough councillor Eric Smith said it soon became clear that the village would have to accept some form of development on their doorsteps. He said:

‘’The county council has earmarked our village for more homes and there is very little we can do about it. It is such a shame that this develop looks likely to go ahead because it will mean building on a wonderful open space the village has enjoyed for many years.’’

He said the parish council had worked very hard to make sure that, if the scheme was approved, Ryton got the best deal it could.

The developers Bellway Homes (Midlands) Ltd have spent more than a year putting together the scheme which will include improving the dangerous junction between the A445 Leamington Road and the A45 which has been the scene of many accidents. They have also pledged to protect a wood at the centre of the land for the local community.

At tonight’s planning meeting councillors are expected to approve the scheme. A report which will go before them says that Bellway has pledged to pay to upgrade local facilities, including a cash grant to the local primary and secondary schools. It has also agreed to pay towards building and maintaining a children’s play area and contribute towards the freehold of the village recreation ground.