Another piece of old Macc to go

Part of Macclesfield’s history, Townley Street Sunday school, looks set to be demolished and replaced with eight new houses.

Planning permission had been granted for a similar proposal in 2019 but that permission has now expired and a revised application submitted for the demolition of the existing buildings to be replaced with eight three-bedroom houses.

A design and access statement from A. E. Planning Consultants, on behalf of the applicant, The Old Sunday School Townley Street Ltd, says: “In granting planning permission for the re-development of the site in June 2019, the council accepted that the structural condition of the buildings were such that demolition was necessary and the only appropriate way for the site to be developed.

“The condition of the buildings has continued to deteriorate over the past four years so this situation remains.”

The proposed two-storey dwellings are in the form of a continuous terrace set back from Townley Street and in the approximate location of the existing buildings to be demolished.

The planning document states: “The proposal does not provide any parking spaces since none are deemed to be necessary in this highly sustainable town centre location.”

The former Sunday school building was built in 1802-3 and enlarged to accommodate an extra storey in 1822.

It formed part of the United Reform Church but has been vacant since 2010.

The document says: “Land to the front of the building was once used as a burial ground for the Townley Street Chapel dating from 1817 to 1865.

“There are no gravestones present and the site is not consecrated.”

It later adds: “Due to the historic context and use of the site the application is accompanied by a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) to outline the methodology, recording and archiving for the archaeological evaluation.”

An email from the council’s archaeological officer states: “The archaeological interest was focussed on the 19th century burial ground occupying part of the site and archaeological work was required to define the precise extent of the burials.

“If necessary, a second stage of mitigation would deal with any burials to be disturbed by development in a way that conformed to the requirements of the Burial Act.”

The application, number 23/4601M, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council’s website.

The last date for submitting comments is January 24, 2024, and the application is due to be determined by a planning officer under delegated authority.

Planning reference 23/4601M https://planning.cheshireeast.gov.uk/applicationdetails.aspx?pr=23/4601M&row=1&query=298df5212ccc4d67a5db4a617631975b&from=i