PLANS to convert a former Crewe dental clinic into five apartments do not take into account "the poor state of the building" it has been claimed.

Five residential flats are planned for the three-storey building at 129 Edleston Road, which used to be the home of Highfields Dental Clinic.

The agent for the owner of the premises insists the scheme will not have an adverse effect on the area.

But there have been previous concerns from local councillors about the growth of HMOs in the Crewe South ward, which is estimated to house 42 per cent of Houses in Multiple Occupation in Cheshire East borough.

The former surgery's clinical rooms, store rooms and reception will be converted to flats if Cheshire East Council approves the planning application.

One of the flats is to be built into the existing attic space of the building.

A statement from Ian Boone, the planning agent for the applicant, Nino Singh, says the rebuild will see the removal of dental chairs together with connected drainage, while all signs of commercial use will be removed.

"As the building is being returned to it's previous use the proposal would not cause adverse effect to the occupiers of adjacent properties and businesses by reason of overshadowing, visual intrusion, or overlooking," he states.

But one neighbour - who wrote to the borough council - suspects there will be noise issues with the development and also speculates whether the upper floor, which has been used in the past for medicine storage, is unfit for human habitation unless an extensive refurbishment takes place.

"129 has deteriorated and needs to be refurbished, but surely the number of prison-like apartments crammed into that building is more in keeping with money making than the quality of life for its tenants," he said.

Another resident objecting described the flats as a "poor mix of undersized units" and cited problems with refuse disposal and lack of cycle provision.

He said: "The proposed conversion scheme will harm the amenity of future residents"

Cheshire East's planning committee will decide whether to give the apartments scheme the go-ahead next year.