An application to build a four-storey apartment block in Crewe has been deferred allowing councillors to visit the site amid concerns about parking.

Premier Living Homes want to build the 11 apartment block on the corner of Edleston Road and Brook Street.

The council's planning officers had recommended the scheme be approved last week (May 18).

Members of the southern planning committee were concerned the scheme only has four parking spaces – later found to be just three spaces.

(Ryan Parker).

Chair of Crewe Town Council's Planning Committee, Cllr John Rhodes, told Nub News: "We have objected to this application as it represents the least possible benefit to the community whilst creating cramped accommodation and an over-crowded site.

"The plans are trying to put a quart in a pint pot, which will also have a detrimental effect on the residents who already live near to the site.

"The external designs don't add anything to the street scene, but propose a basic box structure that doesn't come close to reflecting the Victorian houses around it or the locally listed building opposite."

The four-story apartment block plans were rejected by the High Court close to one month ago.

Plans were then re-submitted on April 5 by the developer and were expected to be approved yesterday (May 25) at the committee meeting.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Four-storey Crewe apartments set for approval just weeks after being refused.

Chair of Crewe Town Council's Planning Committee, Cllr John Rhodes (Crewe Town Council).

Cllr Rhodes added: "In Crewe we should strive for new developments that add value to the town in terms of quality accommodation, aesthetic benefit and providing something that will build our civic pride.

"We continue to hope that Cheshire East councillors and planners see sense on this application and decline it - seeking something more in keeping and providing added value for the community"

Applicant of the development, Matt Peddle, said the properties would be rented and generally the occupants would be single people.

Mr Peddle said a lot of the tenants in similar properties his company rented were doctors and nurses - or people on short term contracts with Bentley.

The Premier Living Group Director believed most tenants didn't need a car in a sustainable location and because his company managed the site, he didn't envisage there would be an issue with parking.

Regarding design, Mr Peddle said: "Throughout we have respected that Cheshire East have aspirations to raise the standards of design of the area and committed to fully engage with their officers to come up with a build we would be proud to deliver.

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"The result is driven by the design team at the council."

Mr Peddle said local people were in favour of the application and wanted them to get on with it.

Crewe councillor Steve Hogben (Labour) said: "Edleston Road is probably the most densely tenanted road, apart from possibly Walthall Street - probably in the whole borough.

"I'm not happy about the parking arrangements, just four places. What will happen is, they will be parking on the pavement endangering pedestrians and all sorts."

The Crewe South councillor said there would also be an issue with 22 bins on the site.

"I'm not against housing on this site, I think it's an eyesore it needs to be brought back into use and housing is an appropriate use.

"What I am concerned about is that the conditions for future residents, both in that block and nearby, are satisfactory."

When chair Andrew Kolker (Conservative) questioned the parking spaces, it then turned out there were three.

Premier Living Homes re-submitted the four-storey apartment block plans on April 5 with small amendments (Cheshire East Planning).

Crewe councillor Connor Naismith (Labour) said: "I wasn't happy with four spaces, I'm certainly not happy with three."

Labour councillor for Crewe East, Joy Bratherton, proposed the application be deferred for a site visit.

This deferral was agreed by eight votes to two.

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(Ryan Parker and Belinda Ryan).