A CAR and bike showroom could be transformed into plush apartments with a roof garden.

Alistair Adamson has won planning permission to build nine apartments on the site of his garage on West Road in Weaverham.

Cheshire West and Chester Council approved the plan last week.

The 55-year-old owner now hopes to relocate to larger premises.

After running his business for 35 years, he is keen to expand but didn't realise the planning process would be so complicated and take so long.

"I've battled for 18 months," said Mr Adamson, who lives in Bickley with his two children aged eight and 11.

"I wouldn't mind moving the business closer to home. I could do with more space and a more workable site.

"It has been a slog and has cost me a fortune, around £40,000, but now I'm going to step back and take a bit of time to have a look around and see what is available."

He said the site on the junction of Station Road and West Road used to be a petrol station when his father owned the land.

Mr Adamson and self-employed salesman Paul Stoddart now work together in the business.

The existing buildings which include a workshop and three residential properties at first floor level will be demolished to pave way for the new development.

Space for 18 cars will be provided at the back of the new apartments which will be fitted with rear balconies.

The apartments will be built to a high quality design, councillors were told as the site lies within the boundary of two conservation areas.

Historic photographs show a Victorian building used to be located on the corner.

A report to the planning committee said: "The proposals would result in the removal of a number of poor designed buildings that do not reflect the prevailing character of Weaverham.

"It is considered that the proposed development has been well designed and would preserve the character and appearance of the adjoining conservation areas."

Weaverham Parish Council had objected to the proposals because they say this is an important commercial site and has been used historically as a single business offering employment.

Parish councillors fear the loss of business premises is not good for a rural area.

They claim the pavements are too narrow for the volume of weekly refuse and recycling bins from the proposed new apartments.

They say the site will be heavily contaminated do due past usage as a petrol station and they are concerned about the increase in traffic and insufficient parking.

Parish councillors said there are already two developments submitting plans in the vicinity and they believe this could overdevelop a conservation area.