Revised plans to build an eco-friendly house set into the hillside at Bosley have been recommended for approval.

A proposal for a similar but larger scheme on the same site at Dawson Farm off Buxton Road, met with a mixed reaction from Cheshire East councillors nearly two years ago.

The strategic planning board, as the superior authority, refused the application just two weeks after the northern planning committee had praised the 'brilliant' scheme and said it was minded to approve it, despite officers saying it should be rejected.

Now planning officers are recommending approval for this latest revised application, which would see the existing house and agricultural buildings demolished and replaced with the eco-friendly home, together with associated renewables and landscaping.

A report from the council's planning officer to next week's meeting of the northern planning committee states: "The application has made a meaningful reduction in the amount of built form proposed, now resulting in a net reduction in built form, as opposed to a net increase as previously proposed.

"Combined with the reduced visual impact the development would have on the rural character of the open countryside and local landscape designation, the proposal is considered to comply with the relevant design and landscape policies of the local plan."

Proposed Bosley Eco Friendly House Northern Elevation (Credit: Eco Design Consultants)

It adds: "By nature, the proposed subterranean dwelling house would be largely covered by earth which reduces its visual impact on the landscape."

The scheme also includes the installation of a 260-solar panel array on a parcel of land to the east of the proposed house and an existing building, which is being retained.

This is a reduction from the 760 solar panels proposed as part of the previously refused application.

The report states: "The reduced scale of the solar panel array would still provide 100 per cent of the proposed dwelling house's energy demand, with excess energy being returned to the grid for use elsewhere.

"This element of the proposal therefore carries significant positive weight with regard to renewable energy generation and energy security."

The proposed house would be subterranean and would provide accommodation over three floors.

Bedrooms and living spaces would be located on ground and first floor levels with garaging, storage and plant on the second floor, and accessed from the rear.

The house would be built to the 'passivhaus premium' standard.

The planning officer's report states: "All habitable rooms would have windows in the southern elevation of the building, enabling daylight to enter and a suitable outlook provided.

"Other rooms including a gym, cinema room, kitchen, games room, storage spaces and plant are located toward the rear of the building where the subterranean nature of the building would result in no natural daylight or outlook.

"However, it is not necessary for these rooms to have a source of daylight in order to provide suitable living conditions."

The northern planning committee meeting takes place at 10.30am on Wednesday, January 14, at Macclesfield Town Hall.