RESIDENTS were left delighted after planning chiefs rejected ‘overbearing’ proposals for a 60-bed care home in Wilmslow.

Cheshire East Council’s northern planning committee made the decision over the Handforth Road site inside a packed room at Macclesfield Town Hall earlier today, Wednesday.

A demolition of the two existing detached properties, prior to the construction of the care home, was proposed.

Applicant New Care Projects previously had plans for a 65-bed care home turned down by both Cheshire East Council and the Planning Inspectorate at appeal.

But the revised application still sparked fears, with more than 50 objections from residents.

MP Esther McVey, Wilmslow Town Council and Handforth Health Centre also raised concerns – however, officers were calling on the committee to approve the scheme.

Committee member Cllr Andrew Gregory, Conservative member for Sutton, said it would present overdevelopment and be overbearing.

He added that he was ‘struck’ by the plans for the land.

Committee chairman Cllr Craig Browne, Alderley Edge First member for Alderley Edge, raised concerns over the parking provision.

He said: “I find it in some ways quite refreshing that the applicants have come back with answers to the reasons that we set out for deferral following the last meeting and I think improvements have been made to the frontage from Handforth Road.

“However, the thing that we haven’t really discussed in detail is the fact that the parking standards are not being met.

“We’ve heard from the highways officer that our standards would expect 34 spaces and the proposal in front of us is only suggesting provision of 25.”

However, Cath Fairhurst, chief operating officer for New Care, aimed to persuade councillors to approve the application by highlighting the potential benefits of the site, which she said could become a ‘local asset’.

She told members a key part of the firm’s vision is to build and operate homes providing quality care.

“We provide nursing and residential care in all our homes,” she added.

“This is actually quite rare and a lot of new homes now don’t provide nursing care because of the shortage of registered nurses.”

The application was rejected on grounds including overdevelopment and having a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the area.

The decision to reject the application was met with applause by residents.