Neighbours’ joy as homes plan for shop is rejected
ABID to turn an empty shop in Macclesfield centre into new homes has been turned down in the face of opposition from neighbours.
Craig Lambie had applied for planning permission to create six two-bed apartments on the first and second floors of 42-44 Mill Street.
But Cheshire East Council received four objections against the proposals that argued businesses should be encouraged to use the site instead.
Noise, lack of parking and overlooking were also outlined as being major concerns. Council planners refused the application but on the grounds some of the flats would not allow enough natural light inside.
One objector said: “Town centre housing is not what Macclesfield needs to attract the shoppers back.
“We need shops with attractive and affordable levels of rent for the owners.
“We need keep the heart of the town centre beating and convert the building into something which will continue to attract visitors and shoppers.”
Another issue raised was that the applicants website describes the building and an intention to turn it into around 30 homes.
In assessing the application council planner Faye Plant said the site’s
sustainable location near town centre amenities - including nearby
car parks - meant parking would not be necessary.
She also said in her report that the development would attract pedestrians to the town centre.
But she added that four of the flats ‘would not benefit from natural light in their habitable rooms’ and recommended the scheme be refused.
The building, which is located between Boots and Bridgfords estate agents, had been advertised as a retail unit prior to the plans for flats conversion going before the council.