As the New Year begins, one thing is certain that somewhere in our area there will be construction workers at work and parts of the landscape will likely change forever.
In Cheshire East, building applications rose a massive 15 percent over the past year, and the council is facing a growing backlog that will take months to clear.
Here we have put together some of the interesting building applications in and around Knutsford that you should keep an eye on in 2022 …
225 HOUSE DEVELOPMENT IN LONGRIDGE, KNUTSFORD
This appears to be one of the most controversial requests and is due to be considered by the Cheshire East Strategic Planning Committee on Feb.2 – although the current backlog may change.
Dewscope Ltd plans to build a mix of two to five bedrooms, including 67 affordable homes, on the site, which was removed from the Green Belt in 2017 as part of the Cheshire East Local Plan.
However, local residents argue that it has become a prized nature reserve and are opposed to the system.
The developer says the houses are suitable for people in all stages of life and offer social, economic and environmental benefits.
For more information, see Application Number 21 / 3100M in the Planning Portal on the Cheshire East website.
Read more here
NEW RESTAURANT SRI LANKAN, TATTON STREET, KNUTSFORD
The award-winning Sigiriya restaurant aims to transform the former Martin’s news agent on Tatton Street into a Sri Lankan restaurant.
According to the plan, the first floor of the premises would become a licensed restaurant with a private dining room on the first floor.
New jobs are to be created during the renovation work on the newsagents and after the restaurant has opened.
For more information, see Application Number 21 / 5285M in the Planning Portal on the Cheshire East website.
Read more here
ADVENTURE GOLF COURSE, HIGH LEGH GOLF CLUB
American Golf hopes its plans for a snappy, crocodile-themed adventure golf course will encourage young people to get into the sport.
The company, which acquired High Legh Golf Club earlier this year, says the proposal is designed around a “Gator Territory” theme with a lazy river with moat, natural rocks and carefully thought-out landscaping that goes with the theme in Is consistent.
It adds, “The theme golf course is designed to provide a visual attraction to each hole that encourages younger children to play the next hole and develop their golfing skills, while also providing valuable family time and physical activity.”
An authorized officer should decide on the application with the number 21 / 5782M by January 7th.
Read more here
THE SWAN, BUCKLOW HILL
PH Property Holdings has applied for the Swan at Bucklow Hill to be demolished to make way for 19 homes.
This request should have been dealt with at the Northern Planning Committee meeting on December 8, according to the council’s website, but it was not on the agenda.
The pub, operated by Brewers Fayre and comprised of a 70 bedroom Premier Inn hotel and staff accommodation, closed in February 2020 and is now empty.
Says the developer: “The proposed scheme aims to mimic a ‘cluster’ of buildings arranged around a central ‘farm’ with a series of workers’ huts facing Chester Road to create a building pattern that fits comfortably into the Surroundings and on were a part of it over time. ”
But local resident Jo Beech is so opposed to the pub being bulldozed that she has started a petition to save it and is trying to buy it so she can renovate it as a pub and community center for the locals.
The application number is 21 / 2975M
Read more here
MARSHALL HOUSE, CHURCH HILL, KNUTSFORD
This former auction house in Knutsford town center is to be converted into a private venue for weddings, ceremonies and business events.
Listed Marshall House, built in 1893 to house the Church of England’s Egerton Boys and Girls School, was the home of Wright Marshall’s auctioneers between 1977 and 2019.
A change of use request has been made by One London Road Ltd so that the Grade II listed building on Church Hill can be used for weddings, celebrations, conferences, offices, a bar and restaurant.
A decision on the application with the number 21 / 5804M should be made by January 10th.
Read more here
RENTENDORF, HOLLY TREE HOUSE, PEPPER STREET, CHELFORD
This application concerned a nursing home with 60 beds and 82 apartments for assisted living.
The new complex also included plans for a tennis court, fishing / boating lake, Japanese water garden, sensory garden, new allotments, green spaces and forest paths.
It should have been decided by the Cheshire East Strategic Planning Committee in October and it had been recommended for rejection, but it was removed from the agenda by council officials to take into account additional information from the applicant.
There is currently no indication on the Council’s website of when this will be considered again.
Read more here
FIRE DEPARTMENT KNUTSFORD
Cheshire Fire and Rescue has applied for approval to renovate the Knutsford Fire Station to reduce its environmental impact and reduce energy consumption.
The planned improvements to the community fire station on Mobberley Road include replacing the roof and replacing equipment shaft doors.
According to the fire brigade, a key driver of the modernization program is to improve the sustainability of the existing buildings and reduce their environmental impact.
The application, number 21 / 4931M.
Read more here