PLANS for a tap room would add to the ‘late-night anti-social behaviour drinking issues Knutsford regularly suffers from’.

So claims a resident in a letter of opposition to Carl Ball’s plans to change the use of a former carpet shop into a microbrewery and tap room.

Mr Ball from Cowyardtap is seeking permission to change the use of The Warehouse, an empty building adjoining Knutsford Heritage Centre in Red Cow Yard off Princess Street.

The centre has written to Cheshire East Council to register its opposition to the scheme on numerous grounds, saying the microbrewery would pose an unacceptable risk to the town’s 'priceless' Millennium Tapestry and 1887 Royal May Day dress and crown.

Knutsford Town Council says the proposed use of the building was unsuitable given its proximity to the centre, and a resident from Gaskell Avenue has also voiced their concern over the plans.

In their letter they said: “This application is incomplete. There are no detailed plans showing where in the building equipment will be situated, where the 'tap room' will be and where the public will gain access, where fire exits will be placed.

“There are no details given concerning ventilation, neither are any details given regarding the machinery to be fitted inside the building.

“This application should be sent back asking for more detail in order that comments can properly be made on it.

“How can this have been accepted as a proper planning application? Let alone within Knutsford's Town Centre Conservation Area and next to our museum.

“Red Cow Yard is already congested with cars parked legally and illegally.

“There are lots of dark, unlit places and alleyways around this building where customers could loiter outside while smoking, and I consider this an unsuitable place to encourage the public to enter or exit having consumed alcohol.

“The ground is on a steep hill and covered in uneven cobbles in places and can be quite treacherous.”

The resident said Mr Ball was seeking an 11pm closing time – ‘thereby adding to all the late-night antisocial behaviour drinking issues the town already regularly suffers from’.

Anyone wishing to comment on the planning application – reference 19/1185M – can do so on the Cheshire East Council planning portal until April 11.