Church plan raises concerns over traffic

Wilmslow Town Council is objecting to plans to build a Christian Hall with associated parking in Mobberley because of concerns about the impact the additional traffic will have on Wilmslow.

Mobberley Development Ltd have applied to demolish the majority of the existing buildings at the site of the former Mobberley Riding School, which closed in April 2016 and is located off Newton Hall Lane. The owners of the site intends to erect a modern Church Meeting Hall for the Brethren Christian Church.

The applicants say the building would be used for worship for a maximum of about 8 hours per week for a congregation up to 520 people. The scheme includes the creation of 169 parking spaces.

Speaking at a planning meeting on Tuesday, 30th April, Town Clerk Matthew Jackson explained "We wouldn't normally comment on an applications which outside our parish but we have in the past if we feel it's had some sort of impact on our parish. Whilst we are not officially consulted we are certainly entitled to comment in a normal way."

Councillor Angela McPake said "It's not about what they are building, that's got nothing to do with it, it's in Mobberley. It's more about the fact that two of the routes into this new property are across Wilmslow. Particularly Morley Green, one of the roads where they have a speeding issue, I imagine is going to be a very popular route into this building. There is talk about it having six services on a Saturday which is 6 x 850 people not necessarily 850 cars but certainly a lot of people and more people than use Mobberley Riding School. The other route of course is down Knutsford Road."

She added "As I understand it they are talking about using this facility seven days a week so I think for me it's about the impact on residents, particularly the volume of traffic it is going to generate for residents of Wilmslow."

Councillor Gary Barton said "There's a problem already on Morley Green Road with traffic speeding and traffic safety in general. I think anything that increases that should be objected to."

Councillor Martin Watkins commented "This particular suggestion is very technically in Green Belt, it's a previously developed site in Green Belt and looking at the plans I believe this is disproportionate increase in the use of that land, particularly when it comes to the car parking. If I was going to object to this it would be on those grounds. I also noted that there are some rather insensitive comments being put on the website which I think we should avoid."

David Jefferay said "This congregation is primarily from Bramhall, Cheadle, Hale Barns, Timperley, Poynton, Hazel Grove, Wilmslow, Mobberley, Styal and Handforth. For every single one of those, apart from Mobberley, the shortest route is via Burleyhurst Lane."

Wilmslow Town Council agreed to object to this application on the grounds that it is increased footprint in the Green Belt, both for the building and parking, and the traffic impact heading through and towards Morley Green.

The plans can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning reference 16/3931M.