New-builds on the Moss have been rejected, with environmental concerns a multitude of reasons to refuse the plans.

Plans to build 18 affordable homes in Macclesfield have been turned down by councillors – with one objector pointing out Cheshire East's planning officer had listed 48 reasons for refusing the scheme.

As reported on Monday, Copperleaf /Jigsaw Homes wanted to build a block of 12 one-bedroom apartments and another block of six two-bedroom 'cottage' flats on a triangular-shaped plot of land off Moss Lane.

The land is allocated as a Greenway/protected open space as part of the South Macclesfield Development Area (SMDA) and Cheshire East's planning officer had recommended the application be refused.

At Wednesday's meeting of the northern planning committee, ward councillor Brian Puddicombe, speaking as a visiting member, dismissed any claims that the site was surplus to open space requirements.

"The correspondence from local residents that myself and Cllr Wilson [Macclesfield Town Cllr Fiona Wilson] received, made clear how much this last piece of green space off Moss Lane is valued by them and how important it became during lockdown," said Cllr Puddicombe.

"There is, indeed, a need for affordable housing in this area, I've got no arguments about that, and, indeed, we are supporting another application at the other end of Moss Lane, but it has to be high quality schemes that fit into the local area, which this proposed over-development of a confined site does not."

Cllr Wilson told the committee the site is the only remaining green space on Moss Lane.

"This development would result in the loss of open space and wildlife habitat and the proposals for diversity net gain in this application – for them to be achieved off-site elsewhere in the Cheshire area are completely unacceptable," said the town councillor.

"Residents and the town council also agree that this development does not represent a high quality residential scheme. The original plans for the apartment block look like a prison and the revised plans are significantly out of keeping with the local characteristics."

She added: "The planning officer lists a total of 48 reasons for refusal for this application – and I have requested that you add two more. That's 50 reasons to refuse an application to build housing, which will be out of keeping with local characteristics, on protected open space and which would result in biodiversity damage and exacerbate the already existing drainage flooding and water management problems."

Macclesfield councillor Nick Mannion (Lab) said he was surprised the site had been brought forward for development.

"I had always understood it to be what one person described as a 'green lung', green open space that is surrounded by residential development on a busy road," he said.

Knutsford councillor Tony Dean (Con) said more one and two-bed affordable flats were needed but 'I just don't think this is the right place' and he proposed the scheme be refused. This was seconded by Gawsworth councillor Lesley Smetham (Con).

The application was refused on the grounds it would completely preclude the ability to provide protected open space;  over-development; insufficient information regarding the impact on a protected tree and insufficient information regarding flood risk and water management for the site.

The vote was unanimous.

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