Plans to convert an empty Macclesfield pub into a convenience store have been recommended for refusal by the council's planners.

Mirza Umar wants to change the use of Last Orders on Park Lane from public house to convenience store.

He has also applied for permission for shopfront alterations.

But Cheshire East's planning officers say policies require such stores to be located within the town centre boundary or in 'edge-of-centre' locations if suitable premises are available.

A council officer's report to next week's meeting of the northern planning committee states: "The application site is considered to be in an out-of-centre location."

It continues: "During the application process, a sequential assessment test has been provided which identifies that no suitable premises are available within the town centre boundary.

"The applicant advises of their specific requirements for the proposal site within the sequential assessment report, including that the store shall be owned not leased.

"The sequential test concludes there are no properties that are for sale which would be suitable for use as a convenience store, of the scale proposed within the town centre boundary."

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But the council officer says the analysis provided 'does not offer much flexibility and only offers limited supporting evidence and justification to substantiate the specific requirements of the applicant'.

The officer concludes: "Therefore, it is considered that there may be adequate suitable retail premises which are available within the town centre boundary or edge-of-centre locations to provide suitable accommodation for a convenience store use.

"The proposal is therefore considered to fail the sequential test."

The application will be considered by the planning committee after being 'called-in' by ward councillor Liz Braithwaite (Lab), who is opposing it.

Cllr Braithwaite also objected to the application for a premises licence to sell alcohol at the proposed new shop from 7am to midnight.

The council's licensing sub-committee granted the licence to sell alcohol following a meeting in February.

The northern planning committee meeting takes place at Macclesfield Town Hall at 10.30am on Wednesday, August 19.