A developer has been commended for plans to convert a former Sunday school in Macclesfield for town centre living.

John Womby was given permission by Cheshire East's northern planning committee yesterday (Thursday) to convert the buildings on Townley Street into seven apartments and a separate one-bed home.

Ward councillor Liz Braithwaite (Lab), speaking as a visiting member, had objected to the proposal raising concerns about there being no parking and potential disturbance of the burial ground.

Committee members had also sought reassurance the development would not impact the burial site.

Mr Womby gave that reassurance, saying there were planning conditions in place in relation to that.

He told the committee when he originally bought the site four years ago it already had a planning permission to demolish the existing building and construct eight new townhouses – but that scheme had proved unviable.

"At one point, the original application and the demolition of the building would have required the excavation of all of the graves," he said.

"That scheme involved removing 57 bodies from the ground.

"We intend not to touch that ground at all. We will do a landscape scheme that gives consideration to that."

He said the burial ground would form the amenity area for the new residents.

Poynton councillor Mike Sewart (Con) said the building was currently 'a wreck' and moved the application be approved.

"It's decaying. It needs to be brought back into use. This, I see, as an ideal use," said Cllr Sewart.

"If extra conditions or investigations are needed on the question of human remains, I would support those, but I do think we've got to go ahead and let this developer bring this building back into a useful use that will bring people into the town centre at night."

Regarding concerns raised by the ward councillor about parking, he said: "People probably don't need cars, that's why they want to live in the town centre."

Macclesfield councillor Fiona Wilson (Lab) seconded the move to approve.

Cllr Sally Holland (Congleton, Con) told Mr Womby: "I commend you for trying to convert a former school.

"It's really expensive to convert, it is easier to knock down and start again.

"So, well done for retaining this as an important site in the town centre of Macclesfield."

Cllr Ken Edwards (Bollington, Lab) added his 'warm appreciation' to a developer 'prepared to tackle the complexities of dealing with a heritage asset like this and bringing it back into positive use'.

The committee voted unanimously to delegate the application back to officers to approve, subject to the satisfactory resolution of the outstanding flooding/drainage issue.