Former Sunday School, Townley Street, Macclesfield, SK11 6HZ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposed development would preserve the settings of nearby listed buildings, or any features of special architectural or historic interest which they possess; and whether the proposed development would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Park Green Conservation Area
• Whether the proposed development would provide acceptable living conditions for future occupants, with particular regard to daylight, sunlight, outlook and outdoor amenity space
• The effect of the proposed development on flood risk
• The effect of the proposed development on protected species, namely bats; and on nesting birds

What decided it

The harm to the settings of nearby listed buildings and the character and appearance of the conservation area, combined with inadequate living conditions for future occupants and failure to satisfy the sequential flood risk test, outweighed the moderate benefits of housing delivery.

The moderate weight afforded to the public benefits of housing delivery and economic/social benefits was insufficient to outweigh the considerable importance and weight attached to the harm to designated heritage assets and the failure to provide acceptable living conditions; the proposal did not benefit from the presumption in favour of sustainable development due to strong reasons for refusal based on heritage protection policies