A MODERN housing estate complete with a large wildlife zone has been proposed for the site of a former garden centre.

Plans to transform All in One Garden Centre, on London Road in Allostock, into a 22-dwelling development have been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The family-run garden centre ceased trading and closed in July 2016, due to a drop in sales and footfall making the business ‘unviable’.

If approved, polytunnels, greenhouses and outbuildings which still remain on the 2.67-hectare site would be levelled and replaced with 16 new homes and six custom built plots.

Knutsford Guardian:

The site in its current state (Google Maps)

As well as the dwellings, a 1.3 hectare wildlife area would be create to the south of the site, complete with habitat zones, a play area, pond, footpaths and trees.

Planning documents submitted by applicant Atlin Homes propose a mix of three, four and five bedroom homes.

These will comprise of different house types, including detached, semi-detached and terraced.

Of the properties, 13 will be three bed, six will be four bed and the remaining three will be either four or five bed.

Knutsford Guardian:

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application reads: “Following various consultations, we have now produced a design that we believe is not only an attractive and inviting development but will enhance the area.

“It will also provide a dedicated natural wildlife and wildflower meadow to encourage and create a lively feeding and nesting grounds for insects, birds and small animals.

“The majestic flowers and grasses, bursting with colour, will be an attractive feature and assimilate the scheme into the rural setting.”

A decision on the development will be made by CWAC’s planning committee after being called in by Shakerley councillor Mark Stocks.

This is due to concerns over the development’s impact on rural amenity, highways, sustainability and the potential loss of an employment site.