A National Trust site's new recycling scheme has been given the green light.

Cheshire East Council has approved plans from Little Moreton Hall to install three composting bays.

It is argued that such a development will help the Newcastle Road visitor attraction to save costs and reduce waste.

In a report recommending the plans be approved, case officer Jonathan Hall wrote: "The facilities will enable the gardening team to produce compost on-site so as to help reduce/avoid the need for compost to be purchased and brought in from offsite.

"Along with the financial impact of procuring compost, the facilities will provide a sustainable way for compost to be made on-site.

"When considering the wider setting, this will assist in the maintaining of the gardens within the setting of Little Moreton Hall, benefiting a heritage asset that provides outdoor recreation for its thousands of annual visitors."

He added: "As such, it is considered there is a clear public benefit to the proposed scheme which will ensure the continued use of this important tourist attraction and its associated facilities that are used for recreation.

"Given its proposed use, positioning adjacent to an existing track within the car parking area, and composition, there would not be any significant impact on the visual and spatial aspects of openness in the context of this setting."

The composting bays will be installed on the edge of the overflow car park at Little Moreton Hall.

Covering an area of approximately 24 metres squared, each bay will feature three sides infilled by recycled timber railway sleepers.

The bays will be covered with a tarpaulin to reduce rainwater ingress and leachate.

On Wednesday, July 30, the plans were formally approved by Cheshire East Council.