Cheshire East residents could lose out on a £5m equestrian-based therapy centre for autistic children because council planners keep delaying a decision on the application.

The proposal to construct the centre at Saltersford Farm in Twemlow for autistic children to enjoy holidays and short breaks, has received overwhelming support from the public and a disability charity.

The council itself has also expressed an interest in using it to benefit local youngsters.

But the authority's own planners have sat on the application for more than a year and Chris and Vicky Bates, who are behind the scheme, say if they don't get a decision soon, they will have to pull out.

Chris, who bought the 70-acre site three years ago, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "The council's planners have asked for time extensions six times, and they have failed to make a decision every time.

Saltersford Farm, Twemlow Green (Google)

"In addition to the increased costs incurred as a result of the delays, the delays have also meant that we now stand no prospect of opening for the summer 2025 season, which would have been possible if the statutory timeframes or earlier extensions had been complied with.

"We're also, as a result of the delays, facing a problem insofar as the builders we had lined up to undertake work are fast losing confidence that permission will be forthcoming.

"As a result, there is an increasing risk that they will commence a different project and, if that happens, it may prove impossible to replace them in a timely or cost-effective manner."

The proposals include:

• the provision of specialist on-site facilities catered towards people with autism;
• equestrian facilities, including indoor arena and provision of specialist stud facilities to support the site's breeding, foaling and youngstock activities;
• specialist holiday accommodation to support the specific needs of autistic people and provide short-break respite for families;
• education centre and craft workshop spaces;
• Staff facilities and on-site living accommodation.

Chris said the planning delay was now threatening the viability of the project.

And he said other applications, such as the greenfield development of a marina site in Church Minshull, had been submitted since this one and been approved.

"We are understandably baffled about why a development to benefit disabled children, with extensive public support, remains outstanding after a considerably longer period of time," he said.

He referred to a Labour announcement on World Autism Awareness Day regarding £4.3m investment to improve services for autistic children and young people.

"That announcement only serves to highlight how significant the £5m investment planned for the Twemlow site is," he said.

"We are hopeful that approval will be quickly forthcoming, but it increasingly feels like an uphill battle to secure the necessary permissions and, unfortunately, if we cannot do so very soon it may be necessary for the site to be developed for alternative purposes."

The site at present has planning permission for offices.

Ward councillor Andrew Kolker (Con) said he is completely behind the scheme to help autistic youngsters.

"It's a sad state of affairs if somebody who wants to do something as positive as this has to pull out because of Cheshire East planning," said Cllr Kolker.

At the time of writing, the council's website says the application, which is due to be determined by planning officers, is still 'pending consideration'.