Plans to convert a residential home near Malpas into a children's care home, which courted controversy, have been refused.

The application was for a change of use for Park View, a five-bedroom home in Cholmondeley Road from a typical residential home (Class C3) to residential care home (Class C2).

The plans were lodged by Compass Children's Homes in October 2019 but were met by hostile opposition.

Several Hampton residents came forward to express their concerns, with fears over the suitability of the location, combined with the level of care needed for the children at the home.

No Man's Heath Parish Council also had concerns over the lack of street lighting or pavement in Cholmondeley Road, lack of nearby public transport and a lack any sort of amenities or youth activities, with Malpas being more than two miles away.

Cheshire West and Chester Council's (CWAC) planning committee agreed with these concerns, with the plans being refused on Monday, November 9 on the basis that the location was unsuitable.

In the report outlining why the plans were refused, Rob Charnley, head of planning at CWAC said the development did not fit in with the council's local plan and that its location along a rural lane was unsafe.

"By virtue of its countryside location and poor accessibility to local services, the proposal represents unsustainable development that would be contrary to the Cheshire West and Chester Local Plan," said Mr Charnley in his report."

"The proposed development, by virtue of the lack of footways and street lighting within the vicinity of the site, would result in an increase in unsafe pedestrian trips that would create unacceptable impacts on road safety."

He added that attempts were made to work with Compass, but a compromise could not be reached.

"The local planning authority has sought to work with the applicant in a positive and proactive way to secure a development that will improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework," added Mr Charnley in his report.

"However, the local planning authority considers that the proposed development is unacceptable in this instance."