Two households have objected to a change of use application which could see agricultural buildings converted into three houses in Buglawton.

Applicant, Mr Heath, who is the owner has submitted plans to convert existing agricultural buildings into dwellings at Canalside Farm, Harvey Road, in Buglawton, Congleton.

However, concerns have been raised that the supporting documents submitted alongside the application fail to mention that the applicant's site is accessed via a bridleway.

In a design and access statement submitted to Cheshire East Council, agent Brownshore Management acting on behalf of Mr Health said: "The access is off Harvey Road and is of sufficient construction and dimensions, and benefits from sufficient visibility splay to serve the proposed development.

"The access into the site passes Hawthorn Cottage and through to the existing farm buildings will be upgraded to residential standards."

A property on Harvey Road submitted their objections to the proposal via Cheshire East Council's planning portal.

They said: "My property is adjacent to the single track, unpaved bridleway that provides sole access to Hawthorn Cottage and the land and buildings that resemble a farm only in name.

"This bridleway is used substantially by pedestrians accessing the Macclesfield Canal Conservation Area by the steps at the end of the bridleway and increased traffic movements pose a risk to the many families and children that enjoy using this bridleway and access point."

The bridle way is also used by walkers, bikers, dog walkers and other canal users.

The design and access statement added that Canal Side Farm consists of traditional and modern agricultural buildings, which include barns and looseboxes for agricultural livestock.

But, the homeowner at 49 Harvey Road added: "As a local resident that uses the bridleway and canal towpath regularly throughout the year, the only apparent use of the land and buildings is for recreational equine use and not the keeping of horses for agricultural purposes.

"The only livestock that has actively been on this site for many years are horses and for the most part the land is unused."

The design and access statement also cited that the "anticipated traffic to be generated by the proposed development is minimal and will not have a detrimental impact upon the highways network".

These views were not supported by 49 Harvey Road, who instead stated: "The proposed development resulting from a change of use would bring about an increase of vehicular traffic movements to the site and not reduce them.

"This would result in an increase of the occasions where the bridleway is obstructed to pedestrians and increase the chance of two vehicles meeting each other with one vehicle forced to reverse to either the top of the bridleway or back out on to Harvey Road where the sight line is extremely limited due to the boundary treatment of the two dwellings that sit either side of the bridleway at this point."

Another objection to the proposal was submitted by a property on Wharfedale Road: "The proposed entrance to the site is unsuitable for vehicles, it is a bridleway/footpath and as such additional vehicles would make it dangerous for its current users."

The development will provide one larger dwelling house and two smaller dwelling houses.

Residents have until 17th June to submit their comments on the application, which can be accessed here and Cheshire East has set 14th July as the decision target date.