A Sandbach councillor has praised efforts by all involved to back latest plans which will hopefully see the restoration of a crumbling Grade II listed town centre farmhouse.

Sandbach Nub News told last week how here. Cheshire East had approved latest plans the Dingle Farm site at Sandbach.

The site has been the subject of several previous planning applications over the years – for 11, six and then four homes – and all have been refused and dismissed at appeal.

The latest plan, approved by the southern planning committee, involves repairing the listed farmhouse, converting the barn to a dwelling and building a new house on the site.

Ward Councillor Mike Benson, who has lived in the town for 50 years, remembers the farmhouse when it was part of a working farm.

"I remember the fields behind and the cows getting out."

But he told Sandbach Nub News: "Time moves on and we can't say no to development. This latest plan is sympathetic with the historical setting.

"I am relieved that this plan is in keeping with the setting. Previous plans such as the one for 11 houses would have overwhelmed the site.

"There's been a big effort over the years to ensure any plan was right for the setting and I would like to thank local residents and council staff for their hard work."

Cllr Benson said the plan had been approved with a list of conditions and these would be carefully monitored when work begins.

"It's the best one so far for this site and one which will see this lovely setting maintained," he said.

Cllr Benson told the southern planning committee: "I feel this is the best way forward for this site and I feel the one house situated where it is, and not made any bigger in size or height, would not impede on the setting of this lovely area of the town."