Plans to build an apartment block with 36 units have been backed by Macclesfield town council, but there is some opposition among neighbouring residents.

The proposals are to build one three-storey block on land off Moss Lane which would contain 12 two-bedroom apartments with a further 24 one-bedroom units.

The plans also include 40 car parking spaces, including disabled and visitor bays; communal bike storage to accommodate every resident and "an extensive hard and soft landscaping scheme".

A design statement submitted on behalf of the developer, Jigsaw Homes and Copperleaf, said: "The proposal will blend in well with its immediate surroundings and make a positive impact to and enhance the character of the local area."

The plans were discussed during the town council's planning committee meeting on Friday.

Cllr Lloyd Roberts said: "This piece of land has been empty for a long, long time. To be honest I never thought we would be able to build on it. I welcome the fact that it's social housing and it's going to produce a substantial number of apartments, which is welcome and the parking going with it. My only question is why they've gone with a flat roof."

Cllr Janet Jackson shared the sentiment on social housing, saying: "We really do need the housing and these are affordable. There's quite a large number there."

However, she did raise concerns that the three-storey block could be "out of keeping with the street scene and the local character of the area".

"It's all semi-detached properties; the typical suburbia I suppose. This apartment block in the middle of that, I thought it could be out of keeping. It is a very basic design," Cllr Jackson told the meeting.

She added: "It is very blocky and flat, there's no design merit to it."

Cllr Roberts suggested that the design may have been left basic to keep unit costs down.

Cllr David Edwardes: "I digress a little bit in that I used to own a 1936 Y type Ford car and one of the great beauties of it is that there was nothing extra on it, the bare minimum and a very simple design. I do not find this building offensive."

The four councillors on the committee gave their backing to the development, only adding the suggestions that it includes sprinklers, electric vehicle charging points and that the flat roof may be out of keeping with the area.

A number of neighbouring residents have written to planners to voice their objections to the proposals.

A Rotherhead Drive resident wrote: "Cannot understand why we would need such a densely populated building in this location, surely this is better suited closer to the town centre. In addition, has any consideration been made to the the, yet again, increase in traffic along Moss Lane?"

An objector from Moss Lane described their road as "already extremely busy", adding: "Moss Lane cannot sustain another housing development not to mention the site traffic to add to the Henshaws and Cheshire Demolition traffic already using the area.

A resident of Craig Road cited general infrastructure in the area as a concern as well as a potential "lack of privacy" from the three storey development.

Poor water pressure in the local area was cited by a number of residents who fear it will only become worse with the new development.

The final decision on the application is set to be made by the relevant planning committee at Cheshire East Council on 2 December.

For further details of the plans and to submit your comments before the closing date of 11 November, click here.