Plans to slash the number of affordable properties in a 281-home development in Graveley have been recommended for approval by North Herts Council's planning officers.

Croudace Homes want to reduce the number of affordable homes in the Back Lane scheme – which the council's planning committee voted in favour of last year – from 40% to 20%.

The developer submitted a viability report arguing that the proposals will not be viable unless the cut in the number of affordable homes is approved.

But the reduction has been criticised by Cllr Vijaiya Poopalasingham, district councillor for Great Ashby ward, who said it would be "wrong" for the council to accept the reduced number of affordable homes.

He said:"The council has a responsibility to defend the provision of affordable housing and to secure the best possible planning outcome for existing and future residents.

"That responsibility should take precedence over accommodating the commercial interests or preferred return of the developer.

"This is particularly important in a high-value housing market such as Great Ashby, where a three-bedroom semi-detached home can have a base sale price of around £400,000."

Cllr Laura Williams, a fellow Great Ashby ward representative, added that she is "opposed to any reduction in [the] social housing allocation".

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An examination of the developer's viability report, conducted for the council, found that the scheme can't "support" the 40% level of affordable homes – the level usually required by North Herts Council – but that the financial picture is "more positive than has been presented".

A final decision on whether the number of affordable homes can be reduced will be made by the council's planning committee on Thursday (October 1).