A petition which has been lodged against plans for a Congleton nursing home to significantly extend its building has nearly 800 signatures.

Applicant Mr Patel has submitted a planning application to Cheshire East Council for a ground floor extension, which will form 11 extra bedrooms, a laundry and lounge at Heliosa Nursing Home, on Boundary Lane, Congleton.

Despite applying for an extension and 18 additional members of staff being employed, the nursing home would not see an increase in the 17 on-site car parking spaces, which are currently provided.

Georgie Angus, who spoke at a Congleton Town Council meeting in September, which councillors agreed to recommend refusal for the application, about her concerns regarding the proposals set up the petition.

In her petition, Mrs Angus said: "This home wishes to expand onto vital natural habitat. This area is home to bats, newts, frogs, hedgehogs, ducks, foxes, badgers, butterflies, a whole host of invertebrates and a wide variety of birds.

"Many of the species are red listed as endangered. The area will destroy a large wildlife pond, trees and wildflower area for the sake of car parking spaces and bedrooms.

"The owner of the home lives in Birmingham and so it does not affect him and his family.

"The residents of Mossley are directly affected by the influx in traffic, noise and air pollution, more car parking on our residential road and the destruction of a vital habitat."

The last date for submitting comments on the application, which can be viewed here is 2 December.

Mrs Angus' petition added: "The area is of huge value to the natural world, it should not be built upon.

"The home wishes to put tarmac over a wildlife pond, cut down trees and obliterate our wonderful countryside.

"These areas need protecting and our local neighbourhood are completely against this unnecessary expansion.

"All the residents on Boundary Lane and surrounding areas need to protect this area for future generations to enjoy, we do not want to witness this area ruined by yet more buildings, subsequent traffic, noise and air pollution.

"Please support us to get planning permission stopped, We, the residents of Mossley, Congleton, appeal to Cheshire East Council to make the right decision.

"The area is an incredible, biodiverse haven, once it's gone it's gone forever, please help us to save it."

At the time of publication, 779 people had signed Mrs Angus' petition. You can sign the petition here.