A FORMER plant nursery in Alderley Edge looks set to be bulldozed to make way for nine five-bedroomed homes.

North East Cheshire Developments has applied to Cheshire East Council for permission to demolish the existing buildings on site at Laburnum Farm in the green belt and build ‘nine exceptionally well-designed homes in a beautiful, spacious environmentally friendly development’.

A planning statement submitted by SGS Planning on behalf of the applicant states: “The existing site is an unfortunate mixture of undesirable and unattractive buildings in an otherwise beautiful residential area. The visual impact of the site would be greatly improved with the redevelopment without any identified harm.”

The site itself is on land to the rear of 72 Knutsford Road, Row-of-Trees at Alderley Edge and currently accommodates a number of substantial buildings, glass houses, polytunnels, stables, and a manège.

The planning document states it was used as a plant nursery until the business closed in December of 2017. Since then it has operated as a mixed-use development comprised mainly of light industrial use and equestrian use.

The proposal is to build five bungalows and four two-storey houses. All would be detached five-bedroomed properties and centred around a small village green setting.

A financial contribution would be made by the applicant in lieu of on-site affordable housing.

The planning statement adds: “The proposed development would be significantly better for the local community and its residents, as well as removing the financial burden from the parish for maintaining the common land because the responsibility for the maintenance would be taken over by the prospective management company of the development. There would also be significant financial contributions generated by the redevelopment for the benefit of the local authority.”

The application, number 23/2623M, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council’s website.

The last date for submitting comments is August 17 and the application will be determined by a planning officer under delegated authority.