Plans have been submitted to demolish a vacant building and construct a two-storey block of seven apartments in the Congleton Town Centre conservation area.

Applicants Mr and Mrs J Sheard, have applied to demolish 55, West Street, Congleton, and erect seven one-bedroom apartments in its place.

However, a previous proposal to build 10 apartments at the site was refused by Cheshire East Council in 2016 before an unsuccessful appeal was lodged a year later.

A design and access statement submitted to Cheshire East alongside their application stated: "The application property is currently vacant, with its most recent use being residential, accommodating some four number apartments.

"In addition to its gradual decline over a period of time, the property has more recently suffered further since becoming vacant, with a lack of maintenance and general upkeep, along with reported theft, fly tipping, squatting, and vandalism leading it to become somewhat of a negative detraction within its own environment, to itself, to its neighbours, and the wider locality.

"This proposal to re-develop the same would vastly improve the situation and would further add to and enhance the quality of both itself and its surroundings, and thus positively contribute to the overall character, appearance and wellbeing of the local area and the conservation area as a whole.

"This would make an effective use of this urban previously developed site and provide quality accommodation in an extremely sustainable location."

The site currently through established use, has the provision of on-site parking, estimated to accommodate some five spaces.

However, in the context of re-development of the site, previous planning applications established concern of the inability of the site to satisfactorily provide both access visibility and on-site parking provision.

Subsequently, following further assessment and liaison with the Council Highway Officer, this proposal does not seek to provide any on-site parking provision, being a "reduced burden and increased benefit upon the site, its neighbours and the local highway network in this regard".

The design and access statement highlighted that residents living in the apartments could park on the council-owned West Street, a long stay car park, which also offers Annual Parking Permits at £30p per annum.

The statement also pointed out that the council-owned Antrobus Street would be an option, but that is only a short stay car park and Blake Street, a permanent long stay car park, which isn't council-owned is over 300m away from the site.

The statement added: "There does appear to be the possibility of potential alternative on-road parking options available in the nearby and surrounding streets, being specifically: towards the rear travel of both Silk Street, Elizabeth Street and Queen Street, where there are a number of commercial frontages that, unlike that of residential frontages, tend only to operate during working hours.

"Also, the commercial frontages and elongated blank frontage to Congleton Cricket Club, along Booth Street."

Residents have until 25th June to submit their comments on the application, which can be accessed here and Cheshire East have set 21st July as the decision target date.