Royal London's bid to expand its Wilmslow campus on land in the greenbelt, which could pave the way for the creation of up to 600 jobs, has taken a key step forward with councillors recommended to approve the controversial proposal.

On Wednesday, 13 July 2016, Cheshire East Council's planning committee will consider an outline planning application by the Royal London Mutual Insurance Society and Property Alliance Group for a new office development to the east of its existing site and south of the town centre. An illustrative masterplan (pictured) accompanying the AHR Architects-designed proposal shows how the site could incorporate an office with an internal floor area of 182,986 sq ft alongside up to 1,100 parking spaces.

Wilmslow Town Council and Alderley Edge Parish Council have both objected to the proposal on the grounds that it represents inappropriate development in the greenbelt. And 58 objections have been lodged, raising concerns about issues such as that the gap between Wilmslow and Alderley Edge is being eroded, it would set a precedent for releasing other greenbelt areas, and it would have an irreversible impact on the environment.

According to a report prepared by planning officers ahead of the meeting, Royal London currently employs approximately 960 staff at the site equating to one in every ten private-sector jobs in Wilmslow. But its current building operates at full capacity and is no longer fit for purpose, and a major refurbishment programme is neither practicable or economically viable.

As part of its expansion plans, Royal London is seeking to employ a further 500-600 staff in Wilmslow but claims it would be unable to do this without the proposed development.

In March 2015, Royal London announced that Wilmslow was its preferred choice for expansion. Then in January 2016, Royal London revealed that it was looking at a range of development sites near Wilmslow, with a view to supporting the company's growth ambitions amid ongoing uncertainty about its leading location option.

The council report has now recommended that the scheme should be approved subject to referral to communities secretary Greg Clark.

It said: "On the basis of the considerations in this report it is considered that the very special circumstances have been suitably demonstrated that when weighed against the definitional and physical harm to the greenbelt are considered to overcome the limited harm that is caused. The adverse effects of the scheme are significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the benefits and mitigation against these adverse impacts can be achieved through submission of further information as part of the conditions or as part of the reserved matters application.

"On balance therefore the application should be approved in principle subject to the following conditions. It should be noted that due to the nature of the development within the greenbelt that any approval would be subject to referral to the secretary of state."

Besides Wilmslow, Royal London also has offices in Bath, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Reading.