Plans to construct a detached house at a plot which was formerly a garden of an Alsager property have been refused by Cheshire East Council.

Full planning permission was sought by Richard Lee for a two-bedroom (including a first-floor study), one-and-a-half storey dwelling at land adjacent to 35, Chancery Lane, Alsager, with new access point off Beechwood Drive, including driveway and parking area.

The building would be set close to the northern boundary of the plot. The proposed development plot was within a sectioned off, lawned side/front garden of 35, Chancery Lane, Alsager.

It is understood that the site previously formed part of the garden of 35, Chancery Lane, but is now in separate ownership.

The plot is bounded at the west (side) and south (front) boundaries by large trees subject of Tree Preservation Orders (TPO).

The site has a history of refused applications for development of a similar dwelling (one of which was dismissed at appeal), since 2012 there has been eight applications submitted on the site.

Previous reasons for refusal included the close proximity of the protected trees, which would result in "unsatisfactory living conditions" which would arise due to shading and reduced light levels caused by the protected trees.

Previous planning permission for a bungalow on the site was granted on a "significantly" larger plot size which would have included additional garden space, and according to Cheshire East "therefore did not raise the issues for which the subsequent applications were refused".

Four letters of objection were submitted by local residents against the latest application on the site.

In his officer's report for the application, Daniel Evans, a case officer for Cheshire East Council, said: "It is considered that due to the constrained nature of the plot and the dominance TPO trees within it, the resulting poor levels of light, overshadowing and proximity concerns of a dwelling on this plot to protected trees, irrespective of siting and provision of garden space, notwithstanding the tree works proposed, would result in further pressures from future residents to carry out harmful operations to TPO trees, possibly including felling, to improve living conditions.

"In addition, the proposal would fail to provide satisfactory living conditions for the future occupants with particular reference to light and outdoor amenity space due to these constraints."

The application was refused.