Controversial plans for a new housing estate for the over 55s on farmland in Tarporley have been withdrawn.

An outline application had been submitted in October 2021 for 70 properties on almost 10 acres of agricultural land between Road Street and Utkinton Road.

The scheme by Hollins Strategic Land LLP would have been exclusively for the over 55s and included a combination of two-storey houses, bungalows and apartments. A total of 30 per cent would have been marketed as ‘affordable’.

The proposals also included open space and pedestrian access along with landscaping, but the plans had seen strong opposition from Tarporley Parish Council.

A letter of objection submitted by the parish council said: "The proposed application site is outside the settlement boundary and is detached from the village.

"The proposed scale of the development will have a detrimental impact on the existing infrastructure in the village including highways and parking which are already under significant pressure.”

Their objection also stated that the parish council ‘was aware’ the existing sewerage system in the village was ‘at capacity’ and increasingly suffering power outages, and that the  development would also have a 'detrimental impact' on what it said were ‘already overstretched services’ including doctors' surgeries.

The objection added: "The proposed site is in a highly visible and sensitive location at a key entrance to the village which provides a rural setting for the village.

"Development of this site would be highly detrimental to the character and setting of that location and will also have a detrimental impact on the setting of the adjacent listed building."

It said: “In addition, contrary to reports in the application, footways on both Utkinton Road and particularly Rode Street are not adequate for safe pedestrian usage, and in many places are impassable with a wheelchair or pram, as such these do not provide a safe walking route into the village."

According to Cheshire West and Chester’s planning portal the plans have now been withdrawn. Hollins Strategic Land LLP did not respond to requests for comment.