Plans to convert redundant bank offices in the village centre into apartments, which were due to be determined by the Northern Planning Committee on Wednesday 9th August, have been withdrawn from the meeting's agenda.
Salford based, Mango Homes are seeking permission for the change of use and conversion of the former Barclays Bank with associated offices above to commercial uses on the ground floor and basement with four one-bedroom residential apartments on the first and second floors above. The building was built in 1904 and is grade II listed.
The Planning Officer was recommending the application (22/4743M) for refusal at the Northern Planning Committee meeting stating "the proposal however has not been supported by a bat survey to confirm whether or not there is potential for a bat roost. Given that there is likely to be works which could result in disturbance of the roof voids there is insufficient evidence to confirm that there would not be a conflict with policies SE 3 of the Cheshire East Local Plan, ENV2 of the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document and chapter 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework. In addition, the separation distance between west facing bedroom windows and the neighbouring property falls well below the recommended distances in the local plan, which will be to the detriment of future occupiers. The proposal is therefore also contrary to policies HOU12 and HOU13 of the SADPD. Given that the benefits in this case do not outweigh the identified harm, a recommendation of refusal is made."
However, the application was withdrawn from the agenda of the Northern Planning Committee meeting to enable Mango Homes to undertake the required survey.
Councillor Craig Browne said "The application has been withdrawn from the agenda of the Northern Planning Committee on 9th August, pending an ecological survey being carried out and submitted by the applicant. I would anticipate that this application will return before the committee as an agenda item either on 6th September or 4th October."
