Cheshire East has refused an application to bulldoze a derelict petrol station at Moston for housing because insufficient information has been submitted about possible land contamination.

The former filling station and garage on the western side of Booth Lane near Sandbach has been vacant for a number of years.

A report to the council's planning department says all attempts to sell it for commercial purposes have failed.

An application was submitted to build five three-bedroom homes on the site and, while there is support for the development, the council's environmental health officer raised concerns about the information submitted regarding possible land contamination.

The council planning officer's report states: "Residential properties are a sensitive end use and could be affected by any contamination present or brought onto the site. The application area has a history of a petrol filling station and garage use and therefore the land may be contaminated."

It adds: "Insufficient information has been submitted with the application in order to adequately assess the impact of the proposed development, having regard to land contamination issues. In the absence of this information, it has not been possible to demonstrate that the proposal would comply with material planning considerations. In addition, information has been provided which does not satisfy the environmental health team that residential development is suitable on this site at this time."

Two local residents have emailed Cheshire East Council in support of the application, saying the proposed development will look a lot better than the derelict garage and will add character to the area.

Moston Parish Council said: "Whilst looking forward to re-development of this brownfield site, [the council] regrettably is unable to support this application until the points raised by Cheshire East environmental protection and the environment agency regarding the concerns of contamination due to the former use of the site as a filling station and garage have been addressed."

The application was refused this week by planning officers under delegated authority.