Planners have recommended councillors put the brakes on a proposal for land near Church Lawton to be used for up to 56 days a year for motocross.

The land, which is east of Chells Hill, has been used as a motocross circuit for a number of years.

In December 2020, Cheshire East refused a retrospective application for change of use of the site for use as a motocross circuit on an intermittent basis.

Now council planners have recommended the southern planning committee refuses this latest application, which also includes retention of hardstanding and access, access enhancements and associated works.

In a report due to go to next week's meeting, the planning officer states: "It is noted the site would provide some limited benefits through some very small employment and leisure/recreation benefits as demonstrated in the letters of representation received."

But he adds these benefits are given minor weight.

Eighteen local households have written to the council to object to the application, as have Odd Rode and Betchton parish councils.

Most objections relate to noise disturbance and the impact on the green belt.

Odd Rode Parish Council states: "The proposal is inappropriate development in the green belt and would be detrimental to the amenities of residents of Thurlwood at Rode Heath."

A resident said: "The noise makes it impossible for residents to use their garden and enjoy their home."

The council's environmental health officer has raised no objection to the proposal 'subject to the imposition of conditions relating to noise mitigation and contaminated land'.

But the planning officer argues the mitigation measures may not be enforceable.

The officer states: "The proposed development would generate noise and the proposal would cause harm to residential amenity, whilst the suggested noise mitigation measures would not be enforceable. In addition, the use of the site would cause harm to other users of the open countryside, such as the canal and local footpath network, in terms of noise generation."

The application has been recommended for refusal on four grounds. These include it is inappropriate development in the green belt and would have an urbanising effect on the green belt and it would have a detrimental impact upon residential amenity due to noise and disturbance generated.

The southern planning committee meeting takes place at Crewe Municipal Buildings at 10am on Wednesday, May 31.