PLANS for a marina and 137 homes on the Brooks Lane industrial estate have been recommended for approval by a Cheshire East Council planning officer.

The application, which includes a 12-berth marina, 450sq m of retail space, 410sq m of office space and 270sq m of restaurant space, proposes that the development be built on the Intertechnic site in Road Beta, with the marina filtering in from the Trent and Mersey Canal.

With Brooks Lane named as a strategic housing site in the emerging CEC local plan, a planning officer has recommended that the development be permitted subject to conditions.

A report said: “The benefits in this case are much-needed affordable housing provision and would help in the council’s delivery of five-year housing land supply, with economic benefits in terms of the proposed marina and facilities.

“The development has the potential to bring extensive improvements to the appearance of the site from the canal and conservation area and would provide significant economic benefits through the provision of employment during the construction phase.

“[There are also] new homes and benefits for local businesses in Middlewich.”

The document reports no objection from the Canal and Rivers Trust, Environment Agency, United Utilities, or from CEC’s housing, highways and environmental health departments.

A highways representation said that the transport assessment and travel plan accompanying the application were ‘not adequate’.

Middlewich Town Council lodged an objection noting that access to the site – which is bounded by the railway line and canal – is insufficient.

The recommendation for approval was accompanied by 25 conditions, contributions of £294,168 towards secondary school provision, £45,500 for special education provision, and £150,000 towards improvements at the A54 junction with Leadsmithy Street.

Also included in the conditions are cycle vouchers worth up to £150 and a voucher for a three-month bus pass.

First lodged with Cheshire East Council in September 2016, the application was due to be discussed by members of the CEC southern planning committee – including Middlewich Town Council member Cllr Bernice Walmsley – yesterday, Wednesday, but was withdrawn from the agenda the day before the meeting.

Fellow town councillor and CEC ward member Cllr Mike Parsons said: “There are obviously many questions that need to be answered regarding this application so it seems a wise decision to withdraw it until those issues can be addressed and satisfactorily dealt with.”