A DEVELOPER who wants to build 360 homes on the site of a photo factory in Mobberley have appealed the decision to the Planning Inspectorate - with a hearing scheduled for January 2016.

Regeneration specialist LPC Living proposed to invest up to £100m in the iconic Ilford Photo site in Mobberley, which has produced black and white photographic products for more than a century.

LPC’s masterplan for the site also included up to 360 affordable and family homes, 15,000 sq ft of office space for new businesses and a range of community benefits. More than 20 acres of inaccessible land adjacent to the site would have been opened to the public to include a sports pitch, community growing space and children’s play area.

The developer, which is owned by the Pervaiz Naviede Family Trust, had also set aside more than £735,000 to create new school places and up to £400,000 to invest in a range of road improvements.

The planning application was refused in November 2014 by Cheshire East Council on the basis of concerns over the impact of aircraft noise on the proposed new homes.

Simon Ashdown, director at LPC Living, said the firm was confident of getting the original decision overturned.

"We were obviously disappointed by the decision in November and based on advice from our consultant team have decided to appeal," he said.

"We are confident of our case on appeal.

"Given the recent announcement by the Government regarding the proposed relaxation of planning laws for Brownfield redevelopment and the need to deliver quality sustainable housing whilst preserving greenbelt land, we remain confident in that choice.

“Both ourselves and HARMAN Technology are hopeful that following examination of our appeal in January 2016, the Planning Inspector will recognise the merits of the scheme and overturn the decision to refuse planning consent.

“We maintain the original proposals submitted for the Ilford Way site would safeguard the future of Mobberley’s largest employer, create a wide range of community benefits and provide much needed housing on an under-utilised industrial brownfield site.”