Plans for two extra flats to be added to a 97-unit Macclesfield apartment block together with a pergola and hot tub on a roof terrace have been approved.

Cheshire East's northern planning committee was told last week the hot tub part of the application on the sixth floor was retrospective as that was already in place at Craven House on Churchill Way in Macclesfield.

Ward councillor Liz Braithwaite (Lab), speaking as a visiting member, said she had serious concerns about the impact on existing residents in the building.

"The hot tub structure and terrace on the Churchill Way side have been in place for some time," she said.

"The statement that the pergola and hot tub will have no impact on the amenity of neighbours is incorrect.

"There has been at least one occasion where a large group of people have been using this area, presumably for a party.

"A couple of them have climbed up on to the roof of the very top floor apartment."

(Image - Google)

Planning officer Paul Wakefield said a management company was responsible for dealing with such issues and that wasn't a planning matter.

He said there were thousands of hot tubs in gardens and they were not considered to impact on the amenity of neighbours.

Bollington councillor Ken Edwards (Lab) disagreed, saying gardens were different.

"A large open roof space may be suitable for raised beds, all kinds of developments that encourage biodiversity… but if you introduce one single, significant leisure item… it does seem to me to certainly introduce frivolity but it also introduces, to me, significant impact on amenity on a bare terrace," he said.

"It's not the same as a hot tub in a residential area on the outskirts of Macclesfield or any other town. It is very, very different."

Cllr Julie Smith (Handforth, Non-grouped) referred to a paragraph in the planner's report which stated planning policy advises that decisions 'should support the use of airspace above existing residential and commercial premises for new homes'.

(Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

She said: "I think this is something that we might see in the future and I think it looks good."

She proposed the application be approved and this was seconded by Knutsford councillor Tony Dean (Con).

The scheme was approved with seven councillors voting in favour and three against.

The application was submitted - and first reported on - by Macclesfield Nub News in September.

Macclesfield: Read the full plans HERE.