PLANS to demolish part of a Hale church hall and replace it with housing have been criticised from residents.

Blueprints for the Altrincham United Reformed Church hall, in Cecil Road, include bulldozing a section of the building to make way a mix of family homes and apartments.

And 14 off-street parking spaces would also be provided.

Applicant Beachetwood Holdings is seeking permission from town hall bosses to deliver the scheme.

“The building, which is currently used as a community hub, will soon to become vacant,” read a planning report.

“The proposal is to deliver high-quality homes in the town centre.”

“The plan is to make full use of the site and existing building,” the report added

“The development should be considered as an exciting scheme, as it will update and increase the longevity of a prominent building.”

Not everyone is in favour of the development. Some neighbours say, if the plans are approved, it would result in the site being overdeveloped.

Others raised concern about additional traffic on the already ‘congested’ roads.

One resident wrote: “The additional properties would not complement the existing buildings or the local conservation area.”

“The hight of properties would result in unacceptable overshadowing on the adjacent homes,” wrote another.

Members of the council’s planning committee are set to approve the application on Thursday.

A council report read: “The application has been assessed, including visual amenity, design and highway safety – and they are all acceptable.

“The adverse impacts of this proposal are significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the benefits.”

“The proposal is therefore considered to be appropriate in principle – and acceptable in design.”