Development chiefs gave a revamped North Basingstoke housing development the green-light.
The Merton Rise development scheme plans to build 784 new homes, shops and cafe's on County Council owned land in Popley.
At a meeting of Basingstoke and Deane development control on December 8 councillors voted unanimously for the proposal.
Hampshire County Council can now bid for a developer for the land.
The 28-hectare site was originally granted planning permission back in 2004. But the credit crunch stalled development with only 115 on the 950 homes completed.
But the new plans propose to pick up where developers left off.
Popley West ward councillor, Jane Frankum, said the delay in finishing the site was a blessing in disguise.
She said: “I am very pleased that we had to wait five years and come back to this because it is a much improved plan.
“We have had to work hard with both borough and county officers to get some much needed bungalows included and larger gardens. It's almost a completely different application.”
As councillors granted outline planning permission, full details about the mix of flats, bungalows and family homes is yet to be set in stone.
But Cllr Frankum stressed the need for bungalows instead of flats to help with the wards ageing population.
She said: “We have an ageing population and soon in Popley the older generation outweigh the younger generation.
“Older people do not want to be stuck in bottom level flats. I am not against flats but we need a decent number.”
“We all know that bungalows are needed and we have an opportunity here and I think we should send a sound message to developers that we in Basingstoke need sustainability and we need bungalows.
In a report to the development committee, council officers said it was important to ensure that at least 40 per cent of homes were affordable housing, with at least 25 per cent available for social renting.
Cllr Frankum also stressed that she did want to see any plans proposing flats above three story's high.
However officers said that there was the possibility for four or five story developments.
In summing up the proposal, Cllr Kenneth Rhatigan said that any future plans will be carefully looked over by the committee.
He said: “I normally don't like outlines but this gives us some prospect of closing of this land. I know that this will come back before us and I am sure we will scrutinise them to the best of our ability to make sure the housing mix is appropriate.”
