TWO-storey terraced houses are earmarked for land in Knutsford in a new bid to win approval to build homes on the site of a bungalow.

Four terraced properties are earmarked for land at 17 Northwich Road following the dismissal of an appeal lodged over refusal of planning permission for three three-storey properties on the site.

Mr M Le Gallez is seeking permission from Cheshire East Council to demolish a bungalow on the land and build the terraced houses.

The plan for the three-storey homes was refused in September 2018, and the appeal against the refusal was dismissed by a planning inspector, who said the proposal would harm the character and appearance of the area and the setting of the Heathfield Square Conservation Area.

Knutsford Guardian:

A report by White Box Architecture accompanying the new plans said: “Although we are proposing four properties following the refusal for three, the footprint and massing of this terraced design reflects the comments on the appeal decision notice.

“Appreciating the comments addressed on the appeal notice, we understand the potential hindrances the previous proposal may have caused within the Heathfield Square Conservation Area, especially in terms of scale and appearance.

“This re-design therefore answers the concerns from Cheshire East and the appeals inspector to provide a scheme that enhances the conservation area whilst contributing to the supply of additional housing.

“The scheme focuses on the adjacent terraced houses, creating a street scene that imitates the neighbouring buildings and leaves a positive outcome on the Heathfield Square Conservation Area.

“All materials have been chosen to closely relate to the surrounding existing buildings; principally, the terraced housing.”

Appeal inspector Kate Mansell said: “Because of the layout, form and mass of the proposal [for three three-storey properties], rather than creating a more homogenous design with neighbouring buildings, it would result in a proposal that would be discordant and unduly prominent within the street scene.

Knutsford Guardian:

“It would therefore be dominant in wider views into and out of the adjacent Heathfield Square Conservation Area.

“It would result in the development of three large houses on a constrained site that would contrast to the spacious character of the surrounding area and the deliberately planned airy layout of the adjacent conservation area.

“This would be to the detriment of the surroundings in which the conservation area is experienced generally within the street scene.”