A Sandbach planning application deferred because Cheshire East hasn't dealt with a public right of way request it received five years ago, will be considered again next week.

The southern planning committee wanted assurances at its meeting last month that Dingle Lane would have public right of way status before they made a decision on an application to repair the Grade II listed farmhouse at Dingle Farm, convert the barn to a dwelling and construct a new house on the site.

The application was deferred for a detailed update with regard to designating Dingle Lane as a public right of way.

In a report to due to go before Wednesday's (February 9) committee, the planning officer states: This [public right of way] application was made in March 2016.

"In March 2016 the application was ranked at 15 out of 33 applications. All applications are reviewed annually. This application is now currently at number five out of 47 applications awaiting determination."

The officer adds: "Legal opinion has been sought and given by a Cheshire East Council lawyer. This states that the dedication of the path is not a material consideration in the determination of this planning application."

The council's planning officers are recommending the committee approve the scheme as it would secure the restoration of the Grade II listed farmhouse.

Several previous applications for the site dating back to 2013 for 11, 6 and 4 homes have been refused and dismissed at appeal.

But the report to Wednesday's meeting 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."

Nineteen people have written to Cheshire East Council largely in support of the proposal, as it will secure the future of the farmhouse which is rapidly deteriorating.

And at last month's planning meeting Sandbach councillor Mike Benson said: "The farmhouse is getting worse and worse. In this case I would like to see the application proceed."

The southern planning committee meeting takes place at Crewe Municipal Buildings on Wednesday, February 9, at 10am.