REVISED plans to build eight townhouses inside the shell of a former munitions factory in Plumley face renewed opposition from environmental bodies and councillors.

PPAK is seeking planning approval from Cheshire East Council to build the houses within the Ascol Mill building, which is located within the Plumley nature reserve off Ascol Drive.

The company is applying for a change of use to create six three-bed homes and two five-bed live/work units.

The scheme was rejected by Cheshire East in November last year because of its impact on the Plumley Lime Beds Site of Special Scientific Interest, highway safety and land drainage concerns and lack of affordable housing.

Although the applicant said the revised scheme had addressed the reasons for the refusal the plans still face opposition.

A report with the application said: “Whilst the site is adjacent to the Plumley Lime Beds, the building for conversion is a considerable distance from it.

Knutsford Guardian:

An illustration of the scheme

“Extensive surveys have been conducted around the building, and on the building. [There is] no evidence to suggest the conversion of the building will cause any damage to the local ecology, protected species or to any part of the SSSI.

“An extensive traffic survey has been carried out on Ascol Drive and the junction with the A556. It has compared the current use with the proposed use, and has concluded the proposed development will not have impact on the junction.”

A Cheshire East highways officer said: “The junction of Ascol Drive with the A566 is a concern as vehicle approach speeds to this junction are very high and this section of the A566 is a dual carriageway.

“I would not want to see any intensification in use of a substandard junction by adding traffic from further properties as is proposed. I would recommend the application is refused.”

Cheshire Wildlife Trust said: “The potential development site sits within the Plumley Limebeds SSSI, which is of national importance for the habitats and species it supports.

“Developing this site for residential use would put the species and habitats present on this nationally important site at unacceptable risk.”

Natural England said the application could have potential significant effects on the designated features of the Plumley Lime Beds.

Plumley, Toft and Bexton Parish Council said the scheme was inappropriate due to being located on an SSSI, with inadequate access to serve eight properties, a dangerous junction onto the A556 and inadequate amenity/garden space for the occupants.