The former post office in Macclesfield could be converted into four eateries and three apartments.

As first reported on by Macclesfield Nub News on February 23, LBH Macclesfield Ltd has applied to Cheshire East Council for permission to convert the boarded-up ground floor post office at Craven House, off Castle Street, into four hot food retail units together with the apartments and retractable canopy and pavement seating areas.

The eateries would be under a multi-storey apartment development and the applicant has provided an odour assessment because of any potential impact on any nearby properties.

The report, from Redmore Environmental, states: "The results of the assessment indicated the odour risk was classified as very high.

"It should be noted that this prediction does not infer that the proposed development would result in significant odour impact or affect local amenity levels.

"However, it does suggest that appropriate mitigation options may be required to reduce potential effects to an acceptable level."

It continues: "Based on the findings of the assessment, it is considered that odour should not be viewed as a constraint to planning consent for the development, subject to the installation of the specified mitigation."

Earlier this month the applicant was granted planning permission by Cheshire East to add two extra flats to the 97-unit Macclesfield apartment block together with a pergola and hot tub on a roof terrace.

The northern planning committee approved that application with seven councillors voting in favour and three against.

This latest application for the eateries is due to be determined by a planning officer under delegated authority, although the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands ward councillor Liz Braithwaite (Lab) intends to call it in.

If the call-in is successful it will be decided in public by the planning committee rather than officers.

The application, number 24/0689M, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council's website.

The last date for submitting comments is March 15.