Twenty-four acres of land adjacent to Adlington Road, which is currently safeguarded for future development, have been put up for sale for housing development.
This plot of land features in Cheshire East Counci's draft Development Strategy, which was published in December and sets out the overall number of homes and jobs that will be needed over the next 20 years. The document proposes that 225 houses are built on this site from 2015.
However, this differs from the recommendations in the Wilmslow Town Strategy which was re-written by Wilmslow Town Council (WTC) and published in November 2012.
The Town Strategy, which came out of the Wilmslow Vision consultation, suggests this site should not be used for housing before 2025.
The sales brochure for this land off Adlington Road says "Cheshire East have stated that they will welcome an early planning application on the land" which has raised concerns amongst campaigners.
Manuel Golding, of Residents of Wilmslow, said "Both RoW and WTC have previously stated we would wish a deferment to build on this site to at least 2025 if we can not get it re designated as Green Belt.
"Contrary to this, the brochure clearly states "Cheshire East have stated that they will welcome an early planning application on the land".
"Is this what CE means by "listening to the public's choice"?
"If the above statement is correct, it proves the problem the voting public has with politicians and authorities - we can not trust a word they utter!"
We have contacted Cheshire East Council for comment.
Offers for the freehold of this site, subject to contract, (conditional upon grant of planning permission) are invited by 12 noon Friday 28th June 2013.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Could it be that the current owner who is selling the land is a Cheshire East Parish Councillor and knows something we don't?
There are plans to expand three local primary schools by 2014 to accomodate another 330 pupils, what secondary school will they be expecting to go to when they move up - Wilmslow High School is already oversubscribed?
This is the situation now before any new houses have been built. i see no plans for another high school or even a doctors surgery.
I have paced out Adlington Road, and wherever the exits are placed, they will interfere with someone's drive.
To make Adlington Road wider, is virtually impossable, because, the bridge over the River Bollin would have to be replaced, without the demolition of 2 houses by Wilmslow Park North exit, the road cannot be widened here because the house fondations would be undermined, and let us not forget the railway bridge at the station.
The above do not include the removal of great pieces of gardens in the road.
How have the housing needs of Wilmslow been assessed ?
Has a sustainability appraisal been carried out for all possible options ?
How have the council measured the impact of so many dwellings on the existing housing market and values?
The National Policy Framework states that consent should not be given to building if the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. In my opinion the impact on the residents surrounding these 24 acres will be significantly and demonstrably unbeneficial.
Other action groups for example Action against Norwich Growth Policy have instructed a legal planning specialist lawyer to act on their behalf against their Borough Council and have successfully overturned controversial housing plans.
I agree we should vote out a council that do not heed their own residents wishes but that will take too long to effect. It is time to get serious legal advice now RoW.