A developer who already has permission to convert a Knutsford house into apartments has applied to Cheshire East to reduce the number of homes by nearly 50 per cent.

Planning permission was granted in 2019 for Elsterne House on Toft Road to be converted into seven homes.

A new developer has now bought the site and has applied to Cheshire East to reduce the number of apartments to four.

A statement submitted with the planning application says: “Works on the implementation of the development commenced in 2020 however, the construction company undertaking the works went bankrupt and work on site ceased.

“The site was purchased by our client in February 2022. Sumo now wish to make revisions to the scheme, to reduce the number of units from seven to four and undertake various minor external and internal alterations.”

The site is located on the western side of Toft Road and is close to Knutsford town centre.

The property to be converted is a semi-detached, late 19th century building.

The planning documents states: “The proposed development seeks to reduce the number of apartments at the site from seven to four since it is considered that this scale of development can be more readily accommodated within the fabric of the building and will ensure that the character of the property can best be retained.”

The number of car parking spaces would be reduced from 13 to eight under the new scheme and two electric vehicle charging points would be added.

The proposals include covered cycle stands for eight bikes.

The application, number 22/2107M, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East’s website.

The late date for submitting comments is July 5 and the application is to be determined by an officer under delegated authority.