Bollington Town Council has formally objected to a planning application submitted by Peaks & Plains Housing Trust.

If approved, the social landlord would demolish 44 homes around Crossfield Road and Kent Avenue, replacing them with 77 affordable dwellings.

However, the council says such plans are in 'direct conflict' with the Bollington Neighbourhood Plan which sets out expectations for the scale, type and location of developments.

In particular, the plan states that due the town's ageing population, there is a need for bungalows and retirement homes.

The council feel that Peaks & Plains are proposing to do 'the opposite' by removing 44 bungalows and replacing them with a mix of 35 two-storey family houses, nine bungalows and 33 apartments.

"Reducing the supply of housing for older people prevents downsizing, which in turn restricts the release of larger family homes elsewhere in the town," the council's objection reads.

"The proposal therefore fails both to meet identified housing needs and to support a balanced and sustainable housing strategy for Bollington."

Proposed plan submitted by Peaks & Plains Housing Trust (Credit: CEC)

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Bollington Town Council also highlighted the lack of a 'detailed and suitable sustainable surface water management scheme'.

Concerns were also raised regarding the 'wholly unacceptable' environmental impact of the demolition.

The council stated: "Demolition results in significantly higher carbon emissions, resource consumption, waste generation and ecological disturbance when compared to renovation."

In addition, the council believe the transport strategy put forward is 'fundamentally flawed', with a proposed bus route requiring future residents to walk 600 metres uphill.

"This is wholly inappropriate given the likely demographic profile of future occupants, including older residents and those with mobility impairments," the objection reads.

"The scheme therefore fails to provide inclusive, accessible and sustainable transport options and risks increasing reliance on private vehicles."

Concluding, the council said: "To summarise. Bollington Town Council objects to this application on the grounds that it forms part of the wider Peaks and Plains development, within which there are significant unresolved concerns relating to flood risk management, transport provision, and environmental impact.

"These deficiencies demonstrate that the application is premature and unsound.

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"The proposal fails to address key infrastructure and environmental constraints and should be refused until a comprehensive and policy-compliant approach is presented for the Peaks and Plains development as a whole."

Side elevations for the proposed development (Credit: CEC)

The application submitted by Peaks & Plains says the proposed development would result in 'economic, environmental and social' benefits.

It adds: "A structural survey undertaken in 2024 found that the condition of the properties and the materials used are all generally exhibiting age related deterioration coupled with a number of inherent poor construction defects from their original construction which indicates that the buildings are approaching the end of their reasonable lifespan without significant intervention.

"They are in poor condition and in need of replacement. As a result, the application proposes the comprehensive redevelopment and regeneration of the site with a mix of housing types which would be 100% affordable.

"The principle of development is acceptable and we demonstrate that the proposals comply with the development plan and should be approved without delay."

The application can be viewed in full on the Cheshire East Council planning website under the reference, 25/4697/FUL.