East Cambridgeshire District Council has been urged to show its support for local businesses by backing plans for a new house and garage.

Young’s Coaches, based in Lode Way, Haddenham, has applied for planning permission to build a new manager’s house and garage in the grounds of the depot.

Young’s, which was founded in 2009 by Brian and Billy Young, says it needs the manager’s house to improve security and to allow it to offer a broader range of services.

But council planning officer Jon Pavey-Smith said the house was located “outside the development envelope” of Haddenham and would be unsustainable as it would encourage reliance on the car.

Mr Pavey-Smith has recommended the plans be refused when they go before the district council’s planning committee on Wednesday.

But villagers have rallied around the business and called for the council to support the plans.

Haddenham Parish Council said: “The council supports this application and feels it is important to support local businesses.

“We also understand that a precedent has been set in Witchford when a similar application from Greys coaches was supported.”

And a neighbour of the depot told the council: “I have absolutely no objection to this proposed development and would be delighted to see a home built there.”

The application was also supported by ward councillors.