KNUTSFORD Town Council has objected to plans for a car park ticket machine to be installed in front of the Sessions House on Toft Road as the land has not been officially designated as a car park.

The court building was bought by the Cooksons and let to Flat Cap Hotels, operators of the Vicarage Hotel on the A50, earlier this year.

The area of land in front of the building has been closed for maintenance since the deal was announced but plans have now been submitted to Cheshire East Council for the installation of a solar-powered parking meeting on the land.

But Knutsford Town Council has said the plans should not be passed as the land is not officially a car park.

"The town council objects to the application on the grounds that it is considered to be premature in so far as that the land on which the proposed machine is to be sited is ancillary to the Court House and its use as the same and is not a car park per se," a statement from the authority states.

"As such an application would be required to secure planning permission for the use of the land to be changed to a car park.

"In addition the machine is inappropriately located and would be detrimental to the setting and character of a this Grade II Listed Building in the Conservation Area. "Furthermore, such equipment would require significant signage to be displayed on the site to render its use lawful (under the rules permitting the charging in car parks). "

In a statement posted on the authorities planning portal, Cllr Stewart Gardiner, added: "I would suggest that a 'Change of Use' application may be required first as this is not a car park at present – it is ancillary to the courts; albeit it has been parked on informally, but without planning permission, and as such surely it can only legitimately be used for such a use.

"Furthermore unless any 'Change of Use' permission is only temporary it would be prejudicial to any further redevelopment of the Court Buildings themselves; as the parking would be required to serve and be ancillary to any new use."

Knutsford resident Debbie Jamison, of Delmar Road, added the meter was out of keeping with the historical environment.

"It was recognised as part of the consultation on the proposed sale of this publicly owned asset that two informal uses were of value to the community," she said.

"Informal parking and access for waiting for part of the May Day procession. Out of respect to the community wishes the current owner/developer should not seek to profit from his gain before undertaking any of the proposed development and prior to a fuller planning application.

"The visual appearance of this meter is out of keeping with the historic, protected environment. As the area is cobbled it would not be possible to mark out spaces by way of lines etc without damage to the historic surface."

"This area is cobbled and part of a listed and historic building. To promote the use of the area as a formal car park may increase the usage and as such lead to greater wear and tear on the historic cobbles so would be to the detriment of the environment which the new owners are responsible for protecting."