Plans for a 216 home scheme in Macclesfield have been deferred because of concerns about a septic tank and well at a nearby property and for clarification about drainage.

Outline permission has already been granted for up to 232 homes on the land south of Chelford Road.

But councillors deferred the reserved matters application on Wednesday for more information about the drainage system and the implications on nearby Hilltop Farm.

Jude Jones, who lives at Hilltop Farm, told Wednesday's meeting of Cheshire East's strategic planning board the farmhouse has a well in the kitchen which, they fear, could be impacted by the proposed housing development.

The board also heard Mr and Mrs Jones have a legal easement for access on foot or with vehicles to their septic tank drainage site.

Cllr Janet Clowes (Wybunbury, Con) said she was concerned about the septic tank.

"There has to be an area into which that septic tank is actually filtering and, at the moment, it sounds as if that is actually into the fields which are now going to have houses built," she said.

"I am concerned about that. They have a right to have a functioning septic tank and what we don't want is a septic tank that overflows."

Committee chair Mike Hunter (Middlewich, Lab) said he had some grave doubts about the application and was particularly worried about how it might affect Hilltop Farm regarding drainage.

"I would like more clarity on it. I do not feel that I can possibly agree with the recommendations [for approval] at the moment until I've seen clarity on how the drainage will affect Hilltop Farm," said Cllr Hunter.

Earlier in the meeting, councillors had heard about concerns from objectors relating to the impact of the scheme on air quality, highways, drainage and schools.

Ward councillor Nick Mannion (Lab) said: "The assertion that air quality impacts were comprehensively assessed at the outline [application stage] is wrong."

He said the report before the board 'fails to even mention that Broken Cross is an AQMA (air quality management area) where current levels of pollution are unlawfully high'.

And he asked where the children would be educated, saying every primary and secondary school in the catchment area is full and they don't even have the land to expand.

These issues were also brought up by Macclesfield town councillor Chris Wilcock who said much had changed since 2017 when the application was agreed at the outline stage.

"In fact the situation is so different that Macclesfield Town Council asks you to refuse this application," he said.

"The current highways changes being made are causing chaos, accidents and gridlock for the residents and road users of Macclesfield.

"If this is the shape of things to come, to approve this application would be completely irresponsible."

When Nantwich councillor Peter Groves (Con) asked the applicant's agent, Jon Suckley, about air quality concerns, Mr Suckley said: "We are comfortable with the detailed air quality assessment that was undertaken at the time."

When Cllr Groves said the financial contribution from the developer towards education was welcome but asked where the children were actually going to be educated, Mr Suckley said: "I think that's a matter for the local authority."

Cllr Hunter, who had expressed concern about drainage and Hilltop Farm, proposed the application be deferred and this was seconded by Cllr Clowes.

When officers said the septic tank and access issues may be considered a civil matter, Crewe councillor Steve Hogben (Lab) said: "If the septic tank overflows then that is going to impact the amenity of existing residents and potential future residents, even if it's several years away."

Councillors voted unanimously to defer the application.