Planners are recommending councillors approve plans for an additional house on a Sandbach site as it would secure the restoration of a Grade II listed farmhouse.

Several previous applications dating back to 2013 for 11, six and four homes at Dingle Farm, Dingle Lane, have been refused and dismissed at appeal.

In a report due to go before next month's meeting of Cheshire East's southern planning committee, the planning officer states: "In terms of these proposals the erection of one new dwelling would lead to less than substantial harm and the public benefits of the restoration of the farmhouse and barn would give significant public benefits, outweighing the less than substantial harm."

The application site comprises a part brownfield, part green field site accessed from Dingle Lane and is close to Sandbach town centre.

The planning officer's report states: "There have been previous applications refused on the site that were dismissed at appeal.

"This scheme now proposes only one additional dwelling, the conversion of the barn to residential, the refurbishment and restoration of the house and boar pen, the creation of new driveways and gates and re-landscaping, plus garaging."

Sandbach Town Council has raised concerns over the design of the new dwelling but, the report states, this has been revised during the course of the application to reduce it in size, change its siting and to amend the elevations.

Sandbach councillor Mike Benson (Con) has 'called in' the application so it is decided by the planning committee rather than a planning officer.

He said: "I have been asked by Sandbach Town Council planning and consultation committee to request a call-in as this application would have an impact within the conservation area.

"It would not be in keeping with the listed building and its setting.

"It is felt that the design, scale and character of the proposals are planning issues which in this case should be placed before the southern planning committee in the public interest." Nineteen people have written to Cheshire East largely in support of the proposal, as it will secure the future of the farmhouse which is deteriorating. The officer's report states: "During the course of the 2017 submission concerns were raised by the conservation officer relating to the continuing deterioration of the house and significant structural movement. "At the time of the site visit there appeared to be further movement at first level with further severe cracking to internal walls at first floor level. It is considered that there has been even more movement since the surveyor's last visit in February 2021." It continued: "With the exception of the repair work, the internal changes are now of a modest nature and acceptable in design and heritage terms." A separate application has been submitted for listed building consent in relation to this work. This will be considered at the same meeting but has to be heard as a separate application. This application, number 21/3181C, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East's website. The southern planning meeting takes place on Wednesday, January 5 at 10am at Crewe Municipal Buildings.