Cheshire East councillors have rejected an application for a retail and apartment development close to Sandbach town centre.

The proposals from the Muller Property Group would have seen the demolition of the existing building, called the Croft, and the erection of 14 apartment units with commercial premises on the ground floor on Brookhouse Road.

Sandbach Nub News previously reported that planning officers at the council recommended the plans be rejected on heritage grounds.

At last Wednesday's (26 May) meeting of the southern planning committee, Cllr Mike Benson, representing the Sandbach Town ward where the proposed site is, spoke out against the application.

He said: "I support the view of Sandbach Town Council, which points out that the mass of the proposed buildings would impact on the view of St Mary's Church; a listed building of great significance within the Sandbach conservation area.

"Any development must enhance the conservation area and not detract from it, as this would."

Cllr Benson referenced 2015 amendments to the conservation area to extend it to protect the town centre's historic buildings and character.

He said a "mews-style" development might be more "in keeping" with the local environment and could be more acceptable.

The ward councillor also said that the proposals do not comply with elements of the Sandbach Neighbourhood Plan, a document created to inform local planning decisions.

Cllr Kathryn Flavell described the proposals as being "very, very similar" to the last time the Muller Group applied to develop the site, which was rejected last year.

The Sandbach Elworth councillor said the development would "dominate the landscape" and disputed drawings from the developer, showing St Mary's Church as still being visible behind the proposed apartment building.

Cllr Flavell added: "There is no need for more retail units and cafes in Sandbach. We have plenty of those types of establishments and there are also vacant shops. So surely we should establish the need before allowing more retail units."

The planning committee voted unanimously to reject the application on the grounds set out in the planning officers' report, which centred on heritage issues.