Controversial plans by Cheshire East to 'desecrate' a woodland to undertake disputed 'safety' works at Poynton Pool reservoir have been deferred after councillors questioned the accuracy of the data.

Campaigners packed into Macclesfield Town Hall yesterday (Wednesday) to hear their own engineering expert tell the strategic planning board there were alternative, less harmful options than that being proposed by the council's engineers.

Poynton Pool is classed as a large high-risk reservoir, which means an uncontrolled release of water could endanger human life.

The council, as landowner, has a legal obligation to carry out works to ensure it is safe and, following an inspection, submitted the planning application to do work to prevent possible future flooding.

The council's proposal includes infilling of the low points along the bank and slightly raising the level of crest with the addition of a kerb along its length to ensure a consistent level.

But it means uprooting 78 trees and the removal of sections of hedgerow .

Cheshire East's own planning officers said the environmental impact would be 'brutal' and 'significantly harmful', but recommended it be approved.

After a discussion lasting nearly three hours, the committee voted to defer the application so the accuracy of the data presented in the council's report could be assessed.

Knutsford councillor Stewart Gardiner (Con), who proposed the deferment, told the meeting: "There is no evidence being presented of any immediate risk of flood.

"I am not convinced by the arguments provided by the council's agent in terms of this is the only engineering solution on the book. It clearly isn't."

He added: "I think it's important that we do have the correct data…

"Only when that data has been provided and analysed, either this application will be withdrawn because it will not be the project going forward or, alternatively, it will come back to us with all of those questions that have been raised today, answered."

Cllr Janet Clowes (Wybunbury, Con), who seconded the move to defer, said: "I do feel somewhat anxious and perturbed that there is such variance in the data that's been produced today with the options and I feel that we have a duty of responsibility also to the residents of Poynton to make sure that we have looked at that data."

But Bollington councillor Ken Edwards (Lab), said the council's report stated if the reservoir flooded around 3,500 people would be impacted with the likely loss of around two lives and £79m of property damage.

"I'm mindful that, as a strategic planning committee, we are responsible for taking decisions that have an impact in the long term," said Cllr Edwards.

He referred to the council' legal responsibilities.

If the council doesn't carry out work deemed necessary, the environment agency could carry out the work and reclaim the costs from the council.

Cheshire East could also be prosecuted if it fails to act.

Congleton councillor Heather Seddon (Lab) said: "I think we are just kicking the can down the road.

"I think we've got enough information to make a decision."

Macclesfield councillor Mary Brooks (Lab) said: "The report from the officers is damning in terms of the actual impact.

"I'm not actually convinced at all by what I've heard today in terms of the risk."

The application was deferred so the data could be reviewed and for an inspection of the dam below the water level.

Cllr Gardiner said the inspection was required 'to ensure we are not using a hammer to crack a nut'.

He added: "I hope that another public body would respect this body in allowing us to do that and would not jump the gun and serve any enforcement notices which would be totally unacceptable."

Eight councillors voted in favour of deferment and three against.