Plans to build a care home, retirement apartments and houses on the site of a former factory in Congleton have been recommended for approval.

The proposal is earmarked for the 1.5 hectare site which housed John Morley Importers, on Morley Drive.

A report to next week's meeting of the southern planning committee states: "The proposal is for an intensive scheme comprising a 70-bed care home, 53 retirement living apartments and 15 houses in four terraces, in the eastern part of the site.

"The proposal also includes vehicular accesses via Morley and Worsley Drives, parking areas, communal gardens, areas of public realm, and an area of public open space."

It says the proposed nursing home and retirement apartments are large floorplate three-storey buildings. The proposed houses are also three storeys in height.

The care home would provide 95 jobs and the retirement units would provide employment for maintenance and management, although the number required for this element has not been provided.

Network Rail has registered a holding objection, pointing out there is a maintenance access point for rail plant right opposite the residential development site.

The report states: "Rail maintenance can occur 24/7/365, at weekends, nighttime, evenings, bank holidays and the developer must not increase NR's liability including impacting the access.

"Also, the developer does not appear to have taken into account the impacts of noise/vibration from the pre-existing rail maintenance facility."

The report from the council's planning officer says the proposal would result in the loss of the existing employment use, but considers this to be of limited weight 'as the existing factory is considered to be non-conforming given its siting in a residential area, some new employment will be provided in the care home and the retirement apartments'.

It adds the scheme would see additional houses and go some way to helping the council achieve its five-year housing land supply target.

It would also help the council meet an identified need for care home and retirement living.

It lists other advantages including indirect economic benefits such as additional trade for local shops and businesses, jobs in construction and economic benefits to the construction industry supply chain.

The application will be considered at the next meeting of the southern planning committee which takes place at Crewe Municipal Buildings at 10am on Wednesday, April 2.