Frodsham Town Council Planning Committee has objected to an application lodged by Pure Retirement Living (Frodsham) Ltd. and Morbaine Ltd., seeking to redevelop scrubland to the rear of Moor Lane to provide a four storey apartment building for retirement living.

At a meeting on Monday 21 June, members of the public expressed their concerns about the proposals, which would involve a 69-apartment complex, 57 car parking spaces, a communal lounge, wellness studio, laundry room and mobility scooter store.

One local resident commented on the narrow access to the site via Moor Lane, saying: "There isn't enough space for two cars to get past each other.

"I don't know how [the application] has even got to this stage: it is in a conservation area and that building [leading onto Moor Lane from Main Street] is listed. It can't be adjusted and so you're left with a very narrow entrance.

"It's a dangerous access and egress point and they're going to increase movement, which is going to increase the possibility of an accident occurring and cause massive congestion."

Frodsham Town Council had already objected to the development in February 2020 on the grounds of "inadequate parking for both residents and carers" as well as "unsuitability for access from/to Moor Lane and Main Street."

On Monday, Councillors reiterated these concerns, with Cllr Bernie Wade pointing out that while the applicants suggest that "the people they're aiming at are downsizing couples that will probably get rid of their cars because they're in the centre of the village and all the facilities are here and there's a lot of public transport, I don't personally think that people will get rid of their cars just because they're downsizing."

"To me, it's a no-brainer. I don't think it's suitably placed at all."

She added that, with residents, family members and carers coming to and from each flat every day, the levels of congestion on Moor Lane would rise considerably.

The Planning Committee therefore recommended that Cheshire West and Chester Council reject the proposal.

In their application, the developers argue that the new build would be an "effective and efficient use of vacant, underused land within the Settlement Boundary of Frodsham."

"The proposal could free-up under-occupied local housing for other population groups and increase the housing choice for local residents whilst allowing them to maintain their independence."