MOBBERLEY residents campaigning against a planning application put forward by a religious group on the site of the village's former riding school have created a petition in a bid to block the proposal.

The planning application was submitted on August 11 on behalf of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church on the site on Newton Hall Lane owned by Mobberley Developments Ltd.

The documents detail plans to demolish the riding school’s existing buildings and build a church meeting hall with associated access, parking, landscaping and infrastructure.

As the Guardian went to press, 1,192 people have signed the petition, which will be presented to Cheshire East Council, suggesting that the development will ‘spoil the countryside’ and that the church can hold up to three meetings a day accommodating ‘hundreds of people’ which will increase traffic on the roads.

Zoe Garland, from Knutsford, wrote on the petition: “Mobberley cannot cope with this amount of people, cars. It is a beautiful country village and should stay that way. It should not be invaded by literally thousands of extra people and cars each day/week. It would completely spoil this village.”

The plans, which are now available to view on the Cheshire East Council planning portal, suggest that existing traffic on Newton Hall Lane together with the additional influx of up to 140 people per meeting (the busiest period expected to be Wednesday evening between 6pm and 7pm) could result in up to 474 cars on Newton Hall Lane at one time.

A spokesman for Mobberley Developments Ltd said: “The planning application is supported by a transport statement. The statutory consultation period is still ongoing and we are waiting for comments from Cheshire East Highways authority.”

Concerned residents, including Sarah Irlam and Richard Irving, of Newton Hall Lane initially started the petition and will meet with other residents to discuss any further action that can be taken against the proposed development.

Sarah told the Guardian: "If this goes ahead it will affect everyone. It's not going to bring anything to Mobberley other than more cars. I want to make clear it's not the religion that's bothering me - it's the sheer size of the building.

"This meeting house will house Exclusive Plymouth Brethrens from as far as Manchester and Crewe, t his will not only effect Newton Hall Lane, but all surrounding areas as the traffic has to get through the village, or Morley to access this road, our village does not sustain this amount of added traffic."

The application has also received a number of written objections.

Astrid Dean of Slade Lane added: “The history and character of Mobberley is under threat. This proposed development shows no consideration for the impact on the landscape or the local community.

“The former riding school fitted in well and provided amenity and employment. This will add nothing to the village of Mobberley.

“The country lanes are already used dangerously by drivers, including heavy goods vehicles - this development will add even more traffic to unsuitable country roads.”

Members of the public are able to submit comments until Wednesday, September 7.

To view the application and submit a comment use reference number 16/3931M on CEC’s planning portal.