Article by Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
A former Alderley Edge church could be converted into four apartments despite objections from some neighbours.
Brook Lane Chapel has already been converted into a single dwelling house.
Objectors claim sub-dividing the property into three two bedroomed flats and one three bedroomed apartment will be over-development of the site.
The application was due to have been decided by a planning officer under delegated powers but has been ‘called in’ by Alderley Edge councillor Craig Browne (Ind), meaning it will now be heard by Cheshire East Council’s northern planning committee on Wednesday.
Cllr Browne called it in at the request of the parish council and local residents who expressed concerns about over-intensification of the site, privacy and overlooking, highways safety and the availability of external amenity space.
One resident, who wrote to the council to object, said: “This property was previously occupied by one family. The applicant is now proposing four dwellings with four families. That’s over-build.
“The site is on a bend which is dangerous. There is no access for delivering to the site as Russet Way and the golf club are private.”
But the Cheshire East planning officer is recommending councillors approve the application.
In a report due to go before Wednesday’s meeting the officer states: “The previous conversion of the church to a dwelling was not carried out sensitively and the existing alterations to the building have already had an impact on the character and appearance of the building.
“The proposed alterations will not result in significant additional harm and will follow the style of the existing conversion.”
The report states the building is not in a conservation area and is not on the local or national list of heritage assets but it is still a valuable example of a 19th century church.
“It is therefore recommended that if permission is granted, conditions be added to the decision notice to ensure that the date stones are retained and that the style of existing openings such as lintels, sills, framing and reveal depth are retained where replacement or infill is proposed,” states the officer.
The meeting takes place at 10am on Wednesday 4th August at Macclesfield Town Hall.
