Town councillors have voted to oppose a plan to knock down a well-loved heritage building for a new mini supermarket and restaurant.

The owners of the Bay Leaf Lounge, on Wellington Road, want to demolish the current building – the former Waggon and Horses pub – and replace it with a new purpose built venue. The new building would house a Sainsbury’s Local on the ground floor, with the restaurant taking up the first floor.

Members of Bollington Town Council have voted to recommend to Cheshire East council that the planning application should be refused.

This will be music to the ears of residents who have objected to the application.

Members of the public turned out at a meeting last month to have their say. Their objections include traffic, safety and car parking and some say they don’t want another supermarket.

There is also concern that the landmark building will be demolished.

The planning application has been ‘called in’, meaning the decision will no longer be made by planning officers at Cheshire East but will go before the Northern Planning Committee.

Town clerk David Naylor said: “Bollington Town Council has considered the proposal in great detail, has extensively consulted local residents and has met on site.

“Taking all the factors into account, the Town Council strongly objects to the application on the grounds that highway safety for pedestrians and motorists will be significantly decreased and dangers of accidents increased. There would be inadequate visibility at exit.

“We have asked for the members to undertake a site visit prior to the planning meeting to see how busy the road gets.”

Emery Planning, which is in charge of the application, says that while the front of the building has some attractive architectural features, it has been extended over the years with unattractive single storey extensions. The building has also suffered from a lack of maintenance and has been subject to fire damage.

Sainsbury’s says the new store would create up to 25 new jobs.

The Northern Planning Committee meeting is expected to take place on November 4 at 10am at Macclesfield Town Hall.

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Do you support the planning application to redevelop the Bay Leaf Lounge in Bollington?

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If no, why not?

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If yes, why?