Fresh plans have been submitted to convert equestrian buildings into homes after the council raised concerns about a scheme it had previously approved.

The new proposals have been submitted for the site at Sandy Brow Stables on Tarporley Road, Delamere, and come following a visit by officers from Cheshire West and Chester’s planning department.

An application was previously approved in 2018 and some of the work has already been undertaken. But the council’s planning expert raised concerns during the visit that the work no longer comprised a residential conversion, but rather a redevelopment of the stable blocks.

A document submitted in support of the scheme said the applicant did not agree with the council’s assessment but had agreed to submit this new application in order to speed the planning process up.

It said: “The developer does not accept the LPA’s (local planning authority’s) position because officers had been made aware of the structural issues with the building from the outset.

"Officers had agreed to the external facing materials proposed in order to address the problem back in January 2022.

“However, this is an ongoing development with significant labour availability and cost implications arising from any further delays.

“The developer has therefore agreed to submit this planning application to remedy the LPA’s concerns and to enable the development to be completed.

"This is done on the clear understanding that the matter will be dealt with expeditiously by the LPA, as agreed.”

Delamere and Oakmere Parish Council has also objected to the proposal on highways grounds, due to the development being near a major junction of the A51 and A49.

The supporting planning statement, adds: “Whilst this current planning application is seeking to remedy a technical change to the originally approved development, the developer has also proposed additional elements of planning gain."

These include making one dwelling available from its adjacent conversion development for sale as low cost market housing and for additional  tree/woodland and hedgerow planting.

To view and comment on the plans, search reference 22/03741/FUL on the council's online planning portal.