PLANS for a housing development on the former Ollerton Nursery site have been resubmitted to Cheshire East Council, who refused a similar application last May.

Developers want to demolish existing outbuildings and construct 16 homes and an office building at 'Ollerton Oaks' – down from rejected plans for 34 residences and a community shop.

The garden and plant centre closed for good in May 2017, and developers say ‘much-needed’ housing will enhance the site’s appearance and contribution to the village.

A planning statement said: “The site is previously developed (brownfield) with buildings and hardstanding spread across the site.

“The proposed development will result in a net reduction in volumetric built form on the site, which will improve the openness of the green belt.

“In addition, the development will see a large proportion of the existing hardstanding on site revert back to its natural and open form.

“The introduction of a comprehensive landscape scheme will further enhance the setting of the site and its contribution to the wider character of Ollerton.

“The proposed development also includes 120sqm of B1 office floorspace, ensuring that the site generates employment opportunities to replace the employment that would have existed with the previous horticultural use.”

The development would feature five two-bedroom homes, six with three bedroom and five with four.

While office space for around five people would be built into the existing brick barn to the east of the site, the remainder of the buildings would be demolished to make way for new homes.

Existing road access would also be relocated, south of its current position.

The homes would be built around a central communal green space.