PLANS to convert an existing farm building into eight new homes submitted by the Cholmondeley Estates in Cheshire will have to go before planning officers.

The plans, submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) in September, are for land off Bickley Town Lane held by Cholmondeley Estate Developments at Spring Farm.

A planning statement submitted with the application in September stated that the building planned to be used for the conversions is in ‘good condition’ and would be acceptable for domestic usage i.e. two/three-bedroom homes.

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It added that alterations could be carried out without putting the structural stability of the building in danger.

However, the nearby No Mans Heath and District Parish Council registered strong objections to any application and urged councillors to ensure that prior approval was required.

The council’s objections were based mainly on flooding concerns along the proposed Bickley Town Lane.

They said: “The drainage along this lane is inadequate for the current traffic.

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“Despite numerous attempts to get both the Cholmondeley estate and CWAC Highways to rectify this situation, very little has been done.

“The gulleys are blocked at the top of the lane so water runs down, collecting at the bottom.

“It then floods the bottom where the only outlet is a three-foot wide open ditch leading to a land drain.

“The road is used as a ‘rat run’ shortcut to connect Bickerton Road to the A49 by non-locals and delivery drivers, many traveling at speed.

The objection added that the proposed eight houses would lead to at least 16 additional cars and highlighted a lack of public transport.

It also added that gardens would not form part of the plans and would add to the danger.

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CWAC case officer Edwards Bannister, in his report, stated that prior approval would be required for any potential development because of the level of work required.

He said: “The development would not be permitted…as the scale of operational work required to alter the use of the agricultural building to that of a dwelling, would be beyond what might be sensibly or reasonably described as a conversion.”

He added that the design and external appearance of the development would result in an unacceptable visual impact on the character and appearance of the area.