Objections have piled in as the Blue Bell Inn in Smallwood have submitted a planning application to Cheshire East Council.

The plans will see the 16th century pub barn demolished and replaced with a two storey 14 bedroom detached building.

The current plans will see the play area removed and replaced with three new car parking spaces however, these will replace the three parking spaces lost due to the new construction.

The plans were submitted to the council on September 28th and a decision targeted for November 23rd. 

However, every resident who has commented on the proposal has objected to the development.

The main concerns raised are the additional traffic on the road, especially at night, the privacy issues around nearby properties. The biggest issue raised however was the local infrastructure around the Inn. 

Owners of Spen Green Farm commented that *The village already suffers from electrical power failures so another 14 rooms would add to this issue.

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*The Blue Bell is not on the main sewage system and there is nothing in the plans to increase the size of the septic tank massively – where will this be positioned?"

*The current barn is from the 16th Century and should not be demolished to make way for a 'Travel Lodge' style hotel.

*The current design does not fit the 'village design statement'"

Smallwood Parish Council in their objection submission commented "Local, strategic, regional and national planning policies are not addressed in the application. 

"The design, visual appearance, materials and the layout and density of buildings are not addressed . 

"The proposed site will overshadow and result in the loss of outlook, increase overlooking and the loss of privacy for the neighbouring residents. 

"There is also concern about noise and disturbance from use and light pollution The parish council are also concerned with highway safety concerns, traffic generation, vehicular access and adequate car parking for the proposed site."

The Blue Bell Inn has been asked to comment however have not responded. 

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