Plans have been submitted to demolish a Cheshire garden centre and build new houses in its place.
An application has been lodged with Cheshire East Council’s planning department on behalf of the owners of Pickmere Nurseries Ltd., who say the garden centre is due to cease trading shortly.
The buildings, close to the entrance from Pickmere Lane, would be knocked down and replaced with two three-bedroom homes, while the nursery – at the rear of the property – would continue to operate.
While an earlier application saw permission granted to convert the garden centre into residential properties, the latest plans would see altogether new buildings constructed.
A planning statement said: “The application is for the redevelopment of a previously developed site in the greenbelt.
“The site is currently in use as a garden centre with nursery however the garden centre is expected to close in the near future.
“The nursery element of the business will remain; this is located on land to the south of the application site.
“The proposed dwellings would be identical to those approved on the conversion scheme in terms of the amount of floorspace and design.”
Plans would also see garaging and turning areas provided for each property.
In a note dated November 2016, property owner Terence Hulley said that a ‘modest loyal customer base’ had kept the garden centre going since he took over in 1980.
He said: “In the intervening years the retail side of the cash and carry has remained static while the wholesale production nursery has shown significant growth.
“I now feel it is probably an appropriate time to close the garden centre.”
Comments may be submitted on the application until July 6, with a target decision date of August 4.
