Plans for an all-weather pitch at Wilmslow Rugby Union Club have been recommended for approval despite objections from the town council and nearly 60 residents.

The club wants to replace a grass playing pitch with a 3G all-weather surface, together with associated fencing and lighting.

The site, at Kings Road, is designated as an existing open space within the green belt.

Cheshire East's planning officers have recommended approval saying 'the proposals would support the provision of an enhanced outdoor sporting offer and promote healthy lifestyles for Cheshire East residents'.

They say following revisions to the scheme during the course of the application, and subject to the use of planning conditions to secure further details, 'it is considered there are no significant adverse impacts in regard to design, amenity, highways, accessibility, ecology, trees, residential amenity or flood risk subject to further comments from United Utilities and the Environment Agency'.

The site of the pitch, located at Kings Road, is designated an existing open space within the green belt (Wilmslow Nub News).

The application is due to be considered by the northern planning committee next week after being called in by ward councillor Mark Goldsmith (Ind) in July 2023.

Wilmslow Town Council has urged Cheshire East to refuse the application.

In the report to next week's meeting, the town council states: "The proposal will result in significant loss of amenity to adjacent properties and disturbance from noise and light pollution.

"This proposal is inappropriate development in the green belt without special circumstances and will be detrimental to the openness of the green belt, the light and noise harming the residential area and countryside including Pigginshaw Brook, a scheduled local wildlife site."

There have been objections to the plans, both from Wilmslow Town Council and residents (Wilmslow Nub News).

The report from Cheshire East's planning officers says the council received 59 representations about the application – 57 opposed to the proposal and two in favour.

Objections included concerns about noise and light pollution to the surrounding properties from the new pitch and traffic and parking issues.

Those in favour said the proposals would provide much needed all-weather sports facilities 'at a time when we need to encourage more people of all ages, but especially children, to do more exercise and enjoy the social and mental benefits of playing sport'.

The northern planning committee meeting takes place at Macclesfield Town Hall on Wednesday 5 March at 10am.

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