Although Rudheath Parish Council had no objections to the proposals, submitted by Watkin Jones and Son, four letters of objection were sent to the borough council stating access onto Middlewich Road was already problematic and dangerous and that adding more housing would only make matters worse.

The objectors also claimed services in the area are already strained and could not cope with more housing and there would be a loss of a green area and of privacy/light.

The development was set to take place at 162 Middlewich Road, on land owned by Northwich Parish Church, close to the junction with Griffiths Road.

The plans would have seen the current building demolished and 16 houses, with garages, built on the site and on an area of grassland at the back of the building.

And the parish church, in support of the application, told the council that money generated from the development would help to continue work in the community, including the upkeep of two churches and replacing school buildings at Church Walk.

But planning officials recommended to the council that the application be refused for a number of reasons, including that any development would add to an existing over supply of housing in Vale Royal.

They also claimed that they had seen no proof that the development was necessary for the restoration of the parish churches.

Planners block development