An apartment block in Crewe has been given the go-ahead - despite councillors' concerns about parking and one being horrified at the size of the flats.

The application from Premier Living Homes to build the four-storey block on the corner of Edleston Road and Brook Street was approved on Wednesday (June 29).

These apartments were deferred at May's meeting of Cheshire East's southern planning committee - allowing members to visit the site amid concerns about parking space.

The apartment block will be built on vacant land next to Alchemy Dentist, Edleston Road (Ryan Parker).

Only three car parking spaces are being provided for 11 apartments.

Much of the debate at Wednesday's (June 29) meeting, again centred around parking.

The applicant said the apartments were aimed at single professional people who, from his experience, often didn't have cars - particularly as the area was close to town centre facilities.

Several councillors disagreed and referred to the parking issues which already exist in that area.

The view of the site from Brook Street (Ryan Parker).

Crewe South Labour Councillor, Laura Smith, said: "I definitely want to see this site developed, but I just question what is acceptable, what we want to have there."

She asked why there were 11 small flats.

"Why are we not looking at bigger apartments that are affordable? I just don't buy the argument that people want to live in cramped accommodation," said Cllr Smith.

She added: "I'm not enthused by this. Parking's an issue, the size of the accommodation is an issue and I think the ambition for Crewe needs to be much, much higher."

Cllr Laura Smith, Crewe South, Labour (Laura Smith).

Crewe West Labour councillor, Connor Naismith, said: "By my calculation, each one of these apartments is the equivalent [size] of about four parking spaces, which, to my mind, is pretty horrific."

He said he knew they were within legal limits 'but to me that's just not acceptable'.

With regard to parking and the fact Cheshire East's highways officers had not objected, saying it was a sustainable location, Cllr Nasmith said: "But is it sustainable if you work on the nightshift at Leighton Hospital?

"How are you going to get there?"

Cllr Connor Naismith, Crewe West, Labour (Connor Naismith).

Bunbury Independent councillor, Sarah Pochin disagreed, saying: "I think occupancy in an apartment block like this is about choice.

"Somebody has a choice whether they choose to live in an apartment that is designed for a single person and that may or may not provide a car parking space."

Cllr Pochin, who moved the application be approved, said the site needed developing, adding: "We need to provide very much needed single person occupancy."

Cllr Sarah Pochin, CEC member for Bunbury (Cheshire East Council).

Cllr Smith quickly responded: "It needs to be acknowledged that choice is only available to certain people. There's plenty of people who don't have choice because of the financial restrains they're under.

"Choice is actually quite a privileged thing to have and there are plenty of people living in Crewe South currently who don't have that choice."

Sandbach Conservative councillor, Mike Benson, seconded the proposal to approve the application.

Haslington Conservative councillor, Steve Edgar, said he was uncomfortable with application but couldn't see a good reason it should be refused.

The vacant land is overgrown. Once constructed, there will be 11 apartments and three car parking spaces (Ryan Parker).

"I think adequacy isn't good enough, but it is adequate," he said.

The Crewe application was narrowly approved by six votes to five.

READ MORE: Crewe college to host Construction Networking Breakfast - offering support for local businesses.

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