PLANS to convert a grade two listed former church into 18 apartments have been recommended for refusal.

St John the Baptist Church in Bollington closed about 20 years ago and permission was granted to convert the property into 13 luxury apartments with associated parking and landscaping in 2010.

That permission was later renewed and the applicant says this consent remains extant, because some work had begun.

Cheshire East disputes this, arguing that permission has now lapsed.

Two years ago, an application was submitted to convert the building into 18 apartments.

That application is due to be decided at next Wednesday’s meeting of the northern planning committee.

A report to the committee from Cheshire East’s planning officer states: “The proposals would provide small one and two-bedroom homes in line with one of the greatest needs highlighted in the Bollington Neighbourhood Plan, which at first glance is a positive feature of the development.”

It also adds the conversion of the listed building into homes ‘is considered to hold public benefit as an optimum future use for the building’.

But the reports say there a number of reasons why the scheme should be refused.

It states: “The development does not propose a housing mix of types, sizes or tenures that meets the locally defined needs including that for affordable housing, downsizing and homes for elderly/older persons.”

It also says some rooms would have insufficient natural daylight.

It continues: “The development results in the unjustified and unmitigated loss of protected open space, a cemetery and graveyard area associated with a historic church.”

And it states the proposal fails to provide adequate financial contributions towards planning obligations for open space, outdoor sport and recreation, allotments, green infrastructure and affordable housing.

One person has written to the council supporting the proposal and five have written objecting to the scheme.

A separate application for listed building consent for the same development is also on next week’s agenda and that has been recommended for approval.

The meeting of the northern planning committee takes place at 10am on Wednesday, November 13, at Macclesfield Town Hall.