A GARDEN centre in Knutsford could be flattened and replaced with new housing on Green Belt land if fresh plans are given the go ahead.

An outline planning application has been submitted to bulldoze Oakwood Nurseries in Chelford Road, between Ollerton and Marthall, and build 11 properties on the land instead.

The one hectare site is located in the Green Belt – land normally protected from development to guard against urban sprawl.

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But a design statement submitted in support of the plans said that because there are already existing structures on the site, it would represent the redevelopment of previously developed land in the Green Belt.

If given the go ahead, four of the 11 homes would be classed as ‘affordable’ properties.

The proposals include demolishing the existing buildings, getting rid of any structures associated with the garden centre, and the seeking of outline permission for the new properties – seven of which would be detached and four semi-detached.

A written submission to Cheshire East’s planning department said that because the applicants and owners – Mr & Mrs Warburton – are not the developers, the application was only seeking outline approval in order to provide a degree of flexibility in the eventual plans.

If approved, vehicle access to the site would be taken from an existing access point on Chelford Road.

A report submitted in support of the plans said the scheme would involve a ‘high quality architectural design’ that would ‘balance’ traditional and contemporary designs. It said this would be ‘appropriate’ to the rural location.

No date has yet been set for a decision.

For more information and to comment on the plans, search reference 22/0783M on the council's online planning portal.