RESIDENTS in Middlewich are eagerly awaiting the outcome of a planning application to develop the derelict shop site at Hayhurst Avenue.

An application has been submitted to Congleton Borough Council for two four-bedroomed houses by the owner of the shop, which some residents believe is a welcome improvement to the residential area.

Ann Welsh, of Eaton Drive, helped to set up an action committee with other residents, which has been campaigning for the development of the site and the application to be approved.

Last week the committee submitted 50 letters in support of the application to the planning office at Sandbach.

Rubbish

The committee was set up in January after a fire gutted the shop and many people were concerned about the waste and rubbish piling up at the site.

The action committee has been active in supporting the application through posting leaflets and holding meetings with the community and the town council.

Ann said: "It is an eyesore and people use the site as toilets and rubbish like syringes has been found there. We want to get rid of it as it is not in keeping with this area.

"We have been going round the estates drumming up support and we have held meetings where 60 or 70 people have turned up to show their support and to put forward their views."

The application will be considered by the borough council over the next few weeks.

jdriscoll@guardiangrp.co.uk