THe future of Macclesfield Rugby Club ‘hangs in the balance’, it has been claimed after it’s ambitious development plans were refused.

The club, which plays at Priory Park, wants to sell some of its ground at Priory Lane and use the cash to fund a new pitches and a 21st century clubhouse.

But the application, which requested planning permission for 76 homes on the site, made on behalf of Macclesfield Rugby Union Football Club and developer Jones Homes, was refused by the members of the Strategic Planning Committee.

Former MP Sir Nicholas Winterton, who represented Macclesfield for almost 40 years, gave an impassioned speech during the meeting, claiming the ‘there is no plan B’ if planning didn’t go ahead.

He said: “Having visited the club it is clearly in desperate need of financial support. The club raises thousands of pounds each year for local charities, raising over £300,000 through the beer festival over the past 24 years. This is all part of the club being part of the community. There is no plan B, it is either planning or no rugby club.”

Redevelopment plans for Macclesfield Rugby Club

The agent for the applicant added: “There is the potential loss of the club and the community benefit it brings, within two years if this proposal doesn’t go ahead.”

However, 11 out of 12 councillors voted in favour of planning chiefs, who had recommended refusal citing the lack of affordable housing with the proposals and the negative impact on the green belt.

Plans were met with strong opposition at the meeting, with many concerned of the impact the large scale plans would have on the local environment, causing increased traffic issues and congestion.

Beverley Dooley, mayor of Macclesfield, raised concerns over the impact to the immediate environment. She said the local plan is in place to protect green belt land and can only be developed under ‘very special circumstances.

She told the committee: “We have one question, what special circumstances are being demonstrated with this application? We hope strategic planning will uphold and refuse those application.”

Councillors also raised issues over health and safety, with the close proximity or power lines also an issue, as well as air pollution, created by the increased traffic.

Speaking after the meeting, chairman Peter Harper said: “We are sincerely disappointed and are currently weighing up our options going forward.”