COUNCILLORS have voted against plans to build a 65-bed nursing home and public car park in a village outside Chester.

Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning committee met via video link yesterday afternoon (May 28) to rule on the proposed development in Tarporley.

Octopus Healthcare and Liberty Properties submitted an application to construct a three-storey nursing home – which would create 65 jobs – as well as a 94-space public car park on land at the rear of 68 High Street.

A planning report had recommended refusal due to the scheme representing 'inappropriate development' on a protected green space and the applicants failing to demonstrate 'very special circumstances' for permission to be granted.

The majority of members agreed with the recommendation, voting 8-3 in favour of refusal at yesterday's meeting.

Ward councillor Eveleigh Moore-Dutton, who was in favour of the development, had called the application in for the planning committee to rule on because of its significance and the high level of public interest.

A number of objections as well as letters of support for the development were received from the community. The Parish Council had backed the plans.

Those against the proposal cited reasons such as the facility having a 'detrimental impact' on the open countryside and the 'lack of infrastructure in the village' being stretched further.

Other concerns raised included an increase in traffic and parking, impact on highway safety, and noise.

Letters of support referred to both a car park and nursing home being 'greatly needed' in the village, as well as the development helping to 'rejuvenate' the High Street and footfall.

The local authority's conservation and design officer objected to the development on the basis that 'the proposed height, scale and mass of the building are alien to the character of the area', while the landscape team were opposed due to the 'significant' landscape and visual impacts.

In recommending refusal, the report concluded: "The proposal represents inappropriate development within the protected local green space for which very special circumstances have not been demonstrated.

"The proposed development does not require a countryside location and would harm the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, encroaching into the countryside which is harmful to the landscape character and wide landscape assets.

"The development fails to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, and undermines the settings of the heritage assets, where any benefits do not outweigh the harm."