Plans to build homes on the site of a former factory in Congleton have been unanimously approved despite safety concerns for pedestrians on an access road bridge.

Cheshire East's southern planning committee all agreed on Wednesday (April 2) that building a 70-bed care home, 53 retirement living apartments and 14 houses on the site formerly occupied by John Morley Importers, would be a great improvement on the rundown buildings currently there.

But they were very concerned about the access to the care home being through Morley Drive, fearing for the safety of pedestrians on the narrow road bridge when traffic was passing and because of its low wall.

Cllr Andrew Kolker (Dane Valley, Con) said: "The existing factory's well past its sell-by date, it's very, very tired and dilapidated, so this is a vast improvement in my view."

But he continued: "I do have grave concerns over that bridge. It's lethal.

"The wall is so low that if you walked backwards to take a photograph or just to avoid someone, then you could easily trip and fall into the canal, which is a long way beneath you. It would be very, very dangerous.

"I'm very, very concerned about that, especially if cars and other vehicles come in conflict with pedestrians or cyclists, I can see trouble ahead.

"So, what the solution is, I'm not quite sure, but there is a potential problem there."

The bridge on Morley Drive (Credit: Google Maps)

Sandbach councillor Mike Muldoon (Con) agreed.

"I'm concerned over the bridge and would like to see more consideration given to lighting it, signage, traffic calming and also some type of protection barrier on the bridge," he said.

Cllr Ben Wye (Crewe, Lab) asked if Morley Drive could be made vehicle-free, which would mean traffic for the care home going through Worsley Drive, as was proposed for the retirement apartments and houses.

Planning officer Gareth Taylerson said the bridge is controlled and owned by the Canal and River Trust.

"They've asked for a contribution for maintenance to the towpath.

"They haven't mentioned anything about the safety of the bridge, whether that suggests they don't think that's an issue, I don't know," said Mr Taylerson.

"My suggestion is we could write to ask them if that's something they want to include, but I don't think it's something we could do by condition."

Cllr John Wray (Brereton, Con) proposed the application be approved and this was seconded by Cllr Muldoon, who asked officers to correspond with the Canal and River Trust about the bridge.