Cheshire East has refused an application for up to nine homes on land close to the Macclesfield Canal at Scholar Green.

Ian Alcock applied for permission in principle for the dwellings on land adjacent to 6A Cinderhill Lane.

But Cheshire East planning officers, acting under delegated powers, rejected the proposal on the grounds it represented development in the open countryside and because of the impact on the character of the area.

The decision notice stated: "The proposal is not considered to constitute acceptable 'limited infilling in a village' because it would have a negative, urbanising impact on the character of the area… and the nature of the site and distance between buildings is not a relatively small gap between existing buildings.

"Moreover, the development involves a loss of undeveloped land that makes a positive contribution to the character of the area."

Odd Rode Parish Council had objected to the scheme, stressing it had grave concerns regarding the impact of traffic from nine houses on Cinder Hill Lane, which is a narrow lane with no footway.

Twelve residents had objected with concerns including highway safety, harm to the semi-rural character and loss of open green space and the impact on the canal corridor, trees, hedgerows and wildlife.