Having been deferred last month, due to insufficient information being provided, the controversial planning application for a new residential development on land north of Stanneylands Road - on land that was released from the Green Belt following adoption of the Cheshire East Local Plan - has been approved today (Wednesday, 20th December).
The Strategic Planning Committee voted 7 in favour and 4 against (with 1 member abstaining) for the David Wilson Homes' plan to build 174 homes, which includes 24 apartments and 150 houses.
The accommodation includes eight 1 bedroom properties, nineteen with 2 bedrooms, thirty 3 bedroom properties and 112 properties with 4 bedrooms.
The scheme also includes a new roundabout onto Stanneylands Road, public open space, a pedestrian/cycleway connection between Linneys Bridge and the River Dean and a new bridge crossing of the River Dean.
Cheshire East Council received 815 letters objecting or commenting on the scheme.
Amongst the issues raised are: inadequate access into the site; increase in traffic and impact on highway safety; the proposed roundabout will not ease congestion; impact on drainage in the area; loss of trees; loss of Green Belt; over-development of the site and the footpath and cycle links should not cross local farmland.
Wilmslow Town Council's Planning Committee recommended refusal of this application on the grounds of inadequate access onto Stanneylands Road, stating that the primary access for the development should be directly from Manchester Road.
The Planning Officer recommended the application for approval, subject to a Section 106 Agreement which had been amended to include: an educational contribution of £499,567; contribution to indoor recreation of £25,500; contribution towards health provision of £185,679; contribution for monitoring of Travel Plan £5,000; provision of the bridge across the River Dean; a financial contribution to be agreed for the provision of a direct pedestrian / cycle route to Manchester Road or improvements to the local cycle and footpath network between the site and Manchester Road of £150,000 and a contribution of £80,000 for the junction of Manchester Road and Stanneylands Road.
The Planning Officer's report for the Strategic Planning Meeting concluded by saying "The matters for which the application was deferred have been fully addressed.
"It has been demonstrated that adequate visibility can be achieved for vehicles leaving the site from the private driveways and the roundabout. The position of the pedestrian crossing is considered acceptable and the details of the type of crossing will be agreed through an additional condition on the decision notice. The site is a sustainable site and the proposals are acceptable from an ecological perspective. The application continues to be recommended for approval in accordance with the heads of terms above and the conditions listed in the main report."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
The original planning proposal made reference to a "direct link" to Handforth village and local amenities, yet it was admitted that no such link exists. This was an important part of the original proposal as government guidelines stress that local services should fall within a set distance, enabling all residents to access services on foot. It was also acknowledged that should such a link ever be created (and that's a big "should"), it is likely to be unsuitable for wheelchair users and prams due to the terrain of the area. The developers have 10 years to identify and create this link so it's reasonable to assume it's unlikely to ever materialise.
Furthermore, the original proposal imagined access to the site via a new entrance created on Manchester Road, this would take congestion away from the already gridlocked Stanneylands Road. However, it was accepted that the estate will now be accessed via Stanneylands Road whatever the consequences.
Concerns over the lack of available school places were "addressed" with the promise of a £500K contribution from the developer. However, as local schools are already full to capacity what we really need are new schools . How many of those would we get with £500K? CEC regularly give that sort of money away in golden handshakes.
Yet, despite a lack of infrastructure and a failure to adhere to central government guidelines, seven councillors thought it appropriate to pass this application. Anyone intrigued by the mechanics of local planning might also be interested to know that if the Council refuse a development, the builder can launch appeal. However, if the council approve a development, there's no right to appeal.
It's apparent that public opinion based upon legitimate concerns have no place in Cheshire Easts version of democracy. Keep that in mind when they next ask if they can count on your vote.
However, try planning a modest extension on your own home and you'll feel the full weight and pendantry of CEC's building largely ridiculous regulations as you leap through flaming hoops trying to appease them.
I wonder : -
(a) will the councillors who voted for this say why they did ?
and
(b) how many more road traffic accidents will there now be on that narrow lane up to Styal and the M56 ?
A Swiss businessman once said to me, that the trouble with the British is that you are lazy, dirty and above all poor - a culture exemplified by CEC inactions, repair programmes and wasted money.
The proposal was carried by 7 votes to 4 with 1 abstention as follows.
For
Derek Hough, Liberal Democrat
Lesley Smetham, Conservative
Gill Merry, Conservative
Steve Edgar, Conservative
John Hammond, Conservative
Sarah Pochin, Conservative
Mike Sewart, Conservative
Against
Barry Burkhill, Handforth Ratepayers (Independent)
Toni Fox, Residents of Wilmslow (Independent)
Steven Hogben, Labour
Janet Jackson, Labour
Abstention
Jamie Macrae, Conservative
Prior to this proposal being made an early proposal was made to recommend the application for rejection by Council Fox, and seconded by Councillor Burkhill.
This was defeated by 7 votes to 4 with 1 abstention as follows
For
Toni Fox, Residents of Wilmslow (Independent)
Barry Burkhill, Handforth Ratepayers (Independent)
Steven Hogben, Labour
Janet Jackson, Labour
Against
Derek Hough, Liberal Democrat
Lesley Smetham, Conservative
Gill Merry, Conservative
Steve Edgar, Conservative
John Hammond, Conservative
Sarah Pochin, Conservative
Mike Sewart, Conservative
Abstention
Jamie Macrae, Conservative
But what do they care? Money, money,money.
We should all remember the REAL mantra.
Do think before you vote next time.