The green light has been given for the former Alcan site to be redeveloped into a new estate with 169 homes.

Bath and North East Council's Development Control Committee unanimously approved the development after hearing strong support from councillors and members of Mardon's Social Club.

The site, which has been empty since the closure of the packaging firm in 2006, will see a mixture of flats and houses, of which 110 will be available for private sale with 59 affordable homes.

Although the site falls outside B&NES's defined Housing Development Boundary, permission was granted because developer Linden Homes has ensured measures are put in place to try to create employment opportunities to make up for the 220 jobs lost when the factory closed.

There will be seven live/work units to give people the chance to work from home alongside office space of about 1,000sqm, employment created by the new community centre being built to replace the existing Mardons club, and employment created through the on-site children's nursery.

There will also be a "work hub" located within the area but outside the development. The hub is intended to support the micro-business sector.

The plans also include a community centre, more than 5,400sqm of open green space and a cycle path link to Midsomer Norton town centre.

The scheme and developers were given lip service at the public planning meeting by both Westfield's Labour councillors Rob Appleyard and Robin Moss and Bill Stevenson from Mardon's Social Club, who all praised Linden Homes for working with the community through a number of consultation events.

There will also be a £445,000 contribution from Linden Homes for the work hub, £221,000 towards transport network improvements, £223,983 towards green spaces and play, £184,234 towards primary school education, and £27,214 towards youth provision.

Andrew Godden, projects manager for the development, said: "We are extremely pleased that the committee has taken this decision.

"We have worked hard to understand the different needs of Midsomer Norton and are keen to start work on bringing forward this much-needed residential scheme, along with employment benefits as well as providing a new building for the social club.

"We would also like to thank the social club, councillors and all of those who have supported this scheme."