PLANS to convert the historic former farmhouse and outbuildings at Little Stanneylands in Wilmslow into 10 homes have been approved.
The site, off Stanneylands Road, is made up of a group of Grade II listed buildings comprising the 17th century main farmhouse, the 17th century barn and the 18th century Rose Cottage.
The proposal, submitted by Annabelle Tugby Architects, will see the farmhouse converted into three homes, the barn into two, Rose Cottage will be restored and updated as one home and a 1980’s pool house will be extended and developed into four properties.
At Wednesday’s meeting of Cheshire East’s northern planning committee, Wilmslow town councillor Jon Newell said the application for this site and an application for an adjoining site, which was given permission for eight houses in November, should have been dealt with simultaneously.
“The cumulative impact of these two applications on a whole raft of policies detailed in the Wilmslow Neighbourhood Plan is much greater than the impacts of the two considered in isolation,” Cllr Newell said.
He added: “Across this application, and the November application, we now have three separate access points in very close proximity, all opening on to Stanneylands Road, however, the highway reports makes absolutely no reference to the adjacent sites and the cumulative impacts. We feel this fails a common sense test.”
Objector Roger Bagguley said the site is the best example of a 17th century farmstead in Wilmslow and ‘it is vital any upgrading of the buildings and the site adheres, as closely as possible, to what was present when history was created’.
He expressed disappointment with some aspects of the scheme and said he believed ‘architectural integrity is being compromised’.
Mr Bagguley also told the committee residents believed the proposal may be ‘the final nail in the coffin of the wildlife corridor’.
“Bringing new life to this site is to be supported but, as planned, this application falls short of preserving the 17th century heritage and of securing the planning originally brought to protect a rich wildlife haven," he said.
Knutsford councillor Tony Dean asked the conservation officer whether she thought the proposed design for the pool house – which is not listed - is suitable to be next door to the 17th century properties?
The officer replied she was quite excited by what was being proposed and 'it's using traditional materials, it's using sustainable materials, it’s using the timber, it's keeping the thatch.'.
She said the thought the entire scheme would be sympathetic to the site.
Wilmslow councillor David Jefferay said: “I’m quite heartened by the conservation officer’s comments about it being sympathetic.”
He said he was concerned about the wildlife corridor but accepted this wasn’t part of the much larger LPS56 site, where about 200 houses have been built, ‘and therefore we have not got a policy to sustain that corridor’.
Macclesfield councillor Brian Puddicombe expressed disappointment there was no affordable housing.
He added: “I would certainly agree with Cllr Newell that the breaking up of sites which should be best considered as a whole is unfortunate, and I think it’s a shame we are having to do this.”
Cllr Dean proposed the scheme be approved as per the officer’s recommendation and this was seconded by Cllr Puddicombe.
Nine councillors voted for approval and two abstained.
The listed building consent for the scheme, which was dealt with as a separate application, was unanimously approved.
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