A PLAN to transform Timperley's Hare and Hounds into 68 retirement homes is to be decided by the Planning Inspectorate after Trafford Council missed the deadline for its decision.

Churchill Retirement Living made an appeal to the inspectorate on February 22, a matter of weeks after the deadline of January 20.

Built in the 1800s, the Hare and Hounds has served residents and others from a prominent position at the crossroads of Shaftesbury Avenue, Stockport Road and Wood Lane for almost 200 years.

But Churchill Retirement Living wants to transform the pub and its surroundings into a combination of apartments and cottages for pensioners over the age of 60.

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Originally, the plan was for more than 70 retirement homes, but now the plan is for 68.

Although Trafford Council missed the deadline for its decision, its planning committee met to discuss the application on March 14.

Members were unanimous in their criticism of the plan and said the committee would have refused it if it had been allowed to do so.

Cllr Daniel Bunting offered the strongest criticism of the application and the applicant.

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He said: "This is an awful, third rate, thrown together design.

"And looking at the name of the applicant, this isn't surprising. This isn't the first time Churchill have brought to us a terrible design.

"We've refused them in the past and they seem as if from nowhere to come back with a better design, as if they're trying to see what they can get away with. It's happened several times.

"It looks more like barracks accommodation than anything. It's completely unsuitable."

In response to Cllr Bunting's criticism, a spokesperson for Churchill described the care and thought which went into the plan to ensure 'a positive contribution to the appearance and character of the area'.

They also described the benefits of the application if approved.

They said: "The retirement homes we are proposing should help to generate over £300,000 of health and social care savings each year and to release over 120 larger, second-hand properties back onto the market, many of which will be suitable for growing families in the area. Churchill’s previous development in Timperley – St John’s Lodge – is one of our of most successful and popular developments in the region.

"We will continue to work positively with local stakeholders and the planning authorities to progress our plans."

According to the Planning Inspectorate's website, it is to consider the appeal on May 24.