A former St John Ambulance training centre in Congleton could be bulldozed to make way for an apartment block.

NHS Property Services has applied for 'permission in principle' (PIP) to build six apartments on the former West Road Clinic site.

The single-storey building which is currently on site was most recently used by St John Ambulance and is now vacant and in poor condition.

This first stage in the PIP process is to establish whether the site is suitable in principle.

A design and access supporting statement from P&DG, on behalf of the applicant, states: "The site is located in a mixed use area that is predominantly residential in character within close proximity to the centre of Congleton."

The site is next to the grade two listed St Mary's Roman Catholic Church.

The planning document states: "The proposed development presents an opportunity to re-develop the site in a manner which better respects the adjacent listed building and would not have an adverse impact on the identified listed heritage assets."

The application, number 24/2699C, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council's website.

The closing date for submitting comments is August 28 and the application is due to be determined by planning officers under delegated authority.