An application to convert a Macclesfield office building into two apartments has been approved by planning officers despite parking concerns from neighbouring residents.

The existing property at 166 Buxton Road, Macclesfield is two storeys and is based in a primarily residential area where parking is predominantly on-street.

The applicants, listed as Mr and Mrs J Green on Cheshire East's planning website, gained approval to convert the property, with a one-bedroom apartment on the ground floor and a two-bedroom apartment on the first floor.

In a design statement submitted by MMP Architects on behalf of the applicants, they confirmed that the "external fabric of the building will remain unaltered except for replacement of the existing window frames and external door."

A neighbour on Buxton Road submitted an objection saying: "We are already experiencing difficulty with parking outside our property due to the increase in people using this space for free parking and then walking down to the train station."

The resident raised the point that the property is at double yellow lines, "therefore increasing the likelihood of those extra vehicles also adding to the above problem."

Another Buxton Road resident echoed the issues surrounding parking, saying: "We do not see any provision for parking and if this is converted into two apartments this could potentially mean 4 additional spaces required."

The objector wrote that they would be fine as they had a driveway, but it would have a "devastating effect" on their neighbours.

Another resident slammed the parking provision in the area as "ridiculous", adding that the new apartments would increase congestion "on an already cramped Longden Street".

The application attracted a total of 10 objections from neighbouring households, all of whom raised parking as their primary concern, with many currently not able to park on their own street.

The Macclesfield Civic Society did not raise an objection to the proposals, commenting: "The conversion to residential use would be consistent with the character of the surrounding area and would ensure that there would be no conflict between commercial activity and residential amenities."

On the issue of parking, the society added: "The parking situation is acknowledged but some shortfall has to be expected in older mixed-use areas of the town."

In their report published on Monday (30th March), the planning officer did acknowledge the resident's concerns about parking, but said: "Nevertheless, the use of the existing property already has the potential to create parking strain."

The planning officer described the site as being within a "highly sustainable location" due to its proximity to the train station and other local amenities.

The officer said: "Appendix C of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy states that the parking standards will only apply where there is clear and compelling justification that it is necessary to manage the road network."

They added that under the National Planning Policy Framework that "development should only be prevented or refused on highways grounds if there would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety or if the residual cumulative impacts on the road network would be severe."

The officers report states that it is unlikely that a refusal on this basis would stand up on appeal.

In an effort to mitigate the issue, one of the conditions stipulates the development must have bicycle storage to "promote sustainable transport modes".