King's School is preparing a fourth planning application in its bid to create a new single-site school on green belt at Prestbury.

The school has submitted three planning applications with the aim of merging its two current sites at Fence Avenue and Cumberland Street into one new purpose built school on 70 acres of green belt next to its Derby Playing Fields in Prestbury.

To pay for the new school, it needs to sell the Fence Avenue and Cumberland Street sites for housing. It has submitted plans for 300 homes at Fence Avenue and 150 homes at Cumberland Street, on the Westminster Road playing fields which form part of the campus.

As well as this, it’s preparing another planning application to replace its Percyvale science block on Pownall Street with housing, a building which forms part of the Cumberland Street campus and is accessed via a bridge.

The application is a few months off yet, according to school bosses, but could accommodate around eight homes.

A spokesman said: “The planning application could be in around three to six months yet.

“The science block would become redundant if we can build the new school at Prestbury.

“There are still no plans for the future of the historic school buildings on the main section of the Cumberland street campaus, but we would like to hear suggestions from Macclesfield residents.”

But many residents are already unhappy with the school’s proposals, as they involve building on the green belt. The Express has received numerous letters with concerns about the applications.

The latest objection has come from the Prestbury Parish Council, which has no voted by five councillors to four to register opposition to the new school with Cheshire East council, which makes the decision on the applications.

Dr Simon Hyde, headteacher, said: “I want to thank the four councillors who supported our proposals.

“They clearly understood the importance of this move to King’s pupils and the opportunities it presents to Prestbury.

“Whilst I respect the position of the five councillors who oppose development, I passionately believe that their opposition to change is ultimately harmful.

“The School will bring fresh vitality to the village and a much needed injection of young professional and executive families to the area.”