KNUTSFORD Town Council has objected to the erection of a modern-design house on Gloucester Road, branding it ‘un-neighbourly and overdeveloped’.

At a meeting of the planning committee earlier this month, members were presented with plans for a two-bedroom, semi-subterraneous home with a sloped sedum planted roof.

The proposed house, which is designed for retirement living, would be located in the rear garden of an existing home on Gloucester Road and face on to Malvern Road.

A number of members of the public were present to hear the discussions on the proposal, and before committee members considered the plans, a resident spoke on behalf of ‘nine objecting neighbours’.

During public participation, the resident stated that the proposed build would be overbearing and overdevelopment of the site, as well as cause serious invasion of privacy by overlooking adjacent gardens.

He added that the development would present a number of highway safety issues.

After listening to the resident’s concerns, Clr Peter Raynes said that, in his mind, the application should be objected to on a number of grounds – un-neighbourliness, overdevelopment and design.

“The privacy issues are largely coming from the wish to have a first floor balcony,” he added.

“The fact is, it is blatantly out of character with other buildings, and in my mind, that is a good case that it should be refused – on the basis of street scene and design.”

Clr Peter Coan echoed Clr Raynes comments and also recommended the committee object to the plans.

“I would regard this massive overdevelopment of the site,” he said. “It is out of character with existing street scene.”

Clr Yvonne Bancroft raised other concerns, including the possible light pollution from the living area balcony, and the materials to be used.

“The detrimental impact on existing neighbours really should be taken into account in all different categories mentioned,” she added.

“We also have to bear in mind the impact on the town as a whole.”

Clr Bancroft added that granting permission to such an application could set a ‘dangerous precedent’.

“Could we start chipping away certain streets in Knutsford?” she added. “Before we know it we have a really dreadful hotch potch town.”

Committee members reached a decision to object to the application, with three voting in favour and one abstention.