A voluntary group is calling on other local groups to join their campaign to protect the town centre from unwelcome development.
The Wilmslow Trust has approached local groups which they perceive will have an interest in the topic, inviting them to form a united group so they are ready to challenge Cheshire East Council's plans for the town centre when they are revealed.
In November 2011 Cheshire East Council (CEC) and Wilmslow Town Council announced they had joined forces to develop ambitious plans for the 'revitalisation' of the town centre.
This will include a look at how cultural and sporting facilities can be enhanced and could include the development of a lifestyle centre, behind the current leisure centre, which would bring together leisure facilities, the library and the arts. A theatre, enhanced public open spaces, retail (possibly a supermarket) and car parking were also mentioned as possibilities.
The announcement raised concerns amongst some residents who urged the Council to leave the leave the library and leisure centre as they are and protect green spaces such as Rectory Fields, which they feared would be incorporated into the project, either as car parking or a retail store.
In March 2012 the Council announced that following the Wilmslow Vision consultation the Town Council and CEC will start thinking about the details for the town centre development, which will include discussions about the role a cultural corridor can play with improved leisure, sport, cultural and arts facilities - which a lifestyle centre and theatre could be part of.
Cllr Michael Jones then admitted there had been a "mixed message about the town centre vision and the Local Plan" and as a consequence the Town Centre Vision was being put back until 2013 to avoid further confusion.
Wilmslow Trust is anticipating proposals for the town centre and a consultation will be announced shortly and they want to be ready to respond.
Clive Bassil, a member of the committee of The Wilmslow Trust, told wilmslow.co.uk "Learning from the experiences of the Wilmslow Vision Consultation it is self evident that Residents of Wilmslow (RoW) has formed itself into a high profile, effective lobby group responding to threats to the green belt and representing Wilmslow wide, similar interest Groups. It is self evident to me that if a group of similarly minded groups could be brought together when responding to CEC development proposals then CEC should feel compelled to take note of its views.
"The fundamental concept being that the residents of Wilmslow get a fair chance to hear all the arguments and not merely the glossy developer led presentation, that will inevitably form the basis of the forthcoming consultation by CEC. Once the proposals are announced by CEC and the anticipated consultation takes place it is feared that it will be too late to act."
Speaking about his particular concerns, Mr Bassil said "The library is in the perfect position in the town currently. Its position fits perfectly with the Mary Portas view of multiple activity retail centres. Its current location is such that its use can very easily be combined with other retail shopping. Move it 1/4 mile out of the town centre and additional car journeys are created and there would be a significant fall off in use. It is believed that its new location would enable it to be incorporated for the benefit of Wilmslow High school and as a consequence there are significant fears about sharing the facility with 1500 school children."
He added "The leisure centre building is arguably the finest building of its type in the North of England. Its fabric is of the highest class, both internally and externally. To contemplate demolishing a building of that quality, which is 30 years old does not make any economic sense. There is undoubtedly need for some internal refurbishment but nothing that should not be unexpected in a high use public building. The residents of Wilmslow have not been asking for a lifestyle centre, they like what they have and where it is.
"The Rectory Fields are a unique asset and it is feared that they and the leisure centre may be built on for a supermarket. Green belt in town centres are without price in their environmental benefits. Such assets are irreplaceable and must be our legacy to future generations and not sacrificed for short term one off financial gain. CEC studies show that there is a shortage of open "play" space in the centre of Wilmslow. The benefits of Wilmslow cricket Club playing in the centre of the town have immeasurable impact upon all age groups. Such benefits would be lost if the Club was moved out of sight."
For further information about plans for a united group email Clive Bassil.
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A view from the pew. Well not a very good one actually as things stand at St Barts. Following the reordering there will undoubtedly be improvements on what the Victorians did. Our Vicar, Paul Smith deserves all the support he can muster having brought successfully to a conclusion some five or six years of discussion in seeing the proposals through to fruition via all the numerous bodies that have now approved the proposals. Anyone who has been a member of the congregation has been kept fully informed and anyone with an interest has had the opportunity of visiting the church to inspect the drawings.