Amendments to a controversial housing development on a six-acre Macclesfield heritage site have been approved.

The plans would involve partially demolishing Grade II-listed buildings on the Cumberland St site at King's School Macclesfield.

The scheme, originally proposed over two years ago, has been twice deferred by Cheshire East's strategic planning board.

This was over multiple concerns of viability, parking spaces, and preserving heritage of the listed buildings.

However, a four-hour Cheshire East Council debate today led to the approval over of these terms, making the new houses closer to commencing construction.

This first concern discussed was over affordable homes.

By expanding the planned size of some of the 115 homes to now allow 121 homes, developers have managed to increase the amount of affordable houses to come close to matching government advice.

National guidance suggests a minimum of 30% on-site affordable housing should be in all residential developments providing 11 dwellings or more.

Labour Cllr James Barber, speaking on behalf of residents of Macclesfield, was not happy with the number of affordable homes.

He said: "While there are now 12 affordable houses, there should at least be 36.

"This means we will see at least 24 key worker families be deprived of homes that they can afford."

However, Cheshire East Council Senior Planning Officer Robert Law recommended the historic value of the site outweighed the feasibility for affordability.

"Where heritage assets are involved, the cost and commitment to ensuring a sensitive conversion in this case, means that the construction costs are higher than you would normally expect with a normal newbuild.

"Officers advise members the scheme is unviable to support the 30% affordable housing provision."

The proposals also detail a shortfall of 42 parking spaces, which was another point for compromise and contention.

It was argued that in some of the new abodes, like the multi-storey over-55's living complex, some residents may have no need for a car.

Macclesfield Tytherington Cllr Lloyd Roberts alleged: "The developer is concerned that too many parking bays will spoil the appearance of the site.

"But the bottom line is there are too many too big houses for such a location. And these narrow streets [around the proposed site where pre-existing residents live] are overflowing.

Mr Roberts also highlighted 37 households outside the Cumberland St site objected about the parking during the last public consultation because parking is already "is a daily nightmare".

The Manchester developers Hillcrest Properties, who purchased the land formerly owned by the Macc school, argued the spacing was adequate.

They were represented by were represented by Jon Suckley. He said:

"We feel that we've got sufficient parking on the site given the site's highly sustainable location on the edge of the town centre.

"We've done everything we can to maximise the level of car parking and it might may well be that some people living on the site do want a higher number of spaces, but it is also very likely that some people on the site want lower levels of spaces as well.

"If someone is purchased an apartment they will be designated a parking space, and the visitor spaces will be designated as spaces marked with 'v' on the floor.

"10% visitor spacing is typically what you would see in these developments, and this plan would be 12%."

There will also be communal charging points for electric cars provided in the Later Living complex and apartments.

Nine councillors voted for the increased amount of affordable homes. Two chose to not vote, and one was against.

A later vote was unanimous in a separate application for listed building consent, making sure the Pavillion is deconstructed and then reconstructed.

This is instead of it being demolished and rebuilt, which could affect the historic value of it.

This protected history with the remembrance gates and regarding use of specific building materials.

The council voted to take extra care on using the same building materials for the exterior and interior, to help maintain the restored building's character.

King's School has roots dating back to 1502, and houses many Grade II-listed buildings that are set to be demolished or restored for this new housing plan.

The 87-year-old Cricket Pavilion will be moved to a new location and repurposed for two residential units.

The First World War Memorial shall remain and also include names on a stone ha-ha for residents to see.

Macclesfield Town Councillor Fiona Wilson, who could not vote on a motion but appeared at the meeting, asked Cheshire East decision-makers "to refuse this application".

But said Macclesfield Town Council would like to "thank the [Cheshire East] strategic planning board for saving the memorial Pavilion".

Former school buildings with changes approved today include the old school library, art block, science block, music block and gate lodge. All of which will become dwellings.

A final decision on construction of the homes is expected within due course.

Minutes of the full meeting will be posted on Cheshire East Council's website.

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