KNUTSFORD residents objecting to plans for a vets surgery on the corner of a residential road say it will create parking chaos and be hazardous for traffic on the nearby main road.

SR Veterinary Group has applied to Cheshire East Council for a certificate of proposed lawful use so the premises in Windsor Way, off the A50 Manchester Road, can operate as a clinic.

The surgery, which would create around six jobs, would occupy the ground and first floors, and mainly cater for small domestic animals.

More than 20 letters have been sent to the council objecting to the scheme but, because the application is for a lawful development certificate rather than a planning judgement, the matter will not be considered by a committee and residents say that is not acceptable.

Resident Dawn McStravick said she was objecting on behalf of many people in the street.

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Windsor Way is a cul de sac of 4.2m width, which includes a row of parked cars. Turning is treacherous and access to the Manchester Road hazardous the best of times.

“We live on the corner of a really busy road with big lorries and people will end up reversing on to the road.”

She said it was not clear where customers would park.

“There is insufficient parking for residents themselves, Manchester Road parking will hinder major traffic, and residents in surrounding streets already have issues with a spill over from visitors to the town centre and Tatton Park.”

Mrs McStravick said she, like others, had not been consulted about the application and only learned of it when she saw a story in the Knutsford Guardian.

“Our frustration is that none of these issues can be reviewed or commented upon as part of a lawful development certificate,” she said

“I, and the other objectors, believe that this request of a ‘change of use’ should be turned down and a full planning application should be submitted so that these issues can be properly discussed.

“Maybe the letter of the law may be right that it’s not discussed fully, but this doesn’t sit easy with people who are going to have to live with implications of a busy, new business with lots of traffic.”

Other residents have contacted the council with concerns about the matter not being discussed by councillors.

One Manchester Road resident stated: “You must reject the certificate of lawfulness to ensure that a proper planning application is submitted to give residents and other interested parties the opportunity to comment.”

A Windsor Way resident said: “Appropriate action should now be taken to ensure that all neighbours and other interested parties are informed before a decision is made.

“In principle I would always be keen to support new businesses in the community. However it would be difficult to envisage a more inappropriate use for the property than a veterinary surgery together with associated high volumes of traffic movement.”

The application is due to be determined under delegated authority by an officer by January 21.