Plans for a temporary remote compound at land opposite Alsager's existing water treatment plan, which includes 10m of hedgerow being removed to construct a temporary access to the site, has been approved.

The application site is comprised of part of a field opposite the Alsager Wastewater Treatment Works on Hassall Road, Alsager.

United Utilities sought full planning permission for a temporary remote compound including 10m of hedgerow being removed to create a temporary access.

Alsager Town Council had concerns about the loss of the hedgerow which was contrary to the Alsager Neighbourhood Plan.

The neighbourhood plan states: "The loss of a mature hedge or tree or an old hedgerow cannot be fully mitigated, and therefore it is to be avoided wherever possible."

Commenting on the application, the town council requested that should any hedgerow be removed it is replanted once the compound is no longer needed.

The site is designated as being within open countryside and a Cheshire East Council case officer highlighted that work was required to "enable essential works" to take place at the Alsager Wastewater Treatment Works.

Commenting on the ten metres of hedgerow that would need to be removed to allow access to the site, the case officer added: "Whilst in the short-term, this and the use of the site as a construction compound would have a slight detrimental impact on the character area and appearance of the open countryside, this would be temporary, and the site can be restored, and the hedgerow replaced.

"A condition should therefore be imposed requiring restoration of the site and replacement hedgerow planting once the development at the wastewater treatment works is completed."

The site is more than 200m away from the nearest residential property and as such it was deemed that the plans would have "no adverse impact on residential amenity".

The proposal is for a temporary access either side of Hassall Road.

The temporary access would have "limited visibility", but United Utilities has "agreed" with Cheshire East Highways to have a temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) in place during the life of the development, which includes signals to overcome the visibility issue.

The application was approved by Cheshire East planning officers through delegated powers.