Councillors and residents are calling on Cheshire East Council (CEC) to reveal details of a "secret plan" to assist Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council with meeting their requirements for traveller and gypsy sites.
The two councils are in discussion about using a piece of land which CEC own in Stockport Borough for a traveller and gypsy site.
Our source at CEC did not confirm where the site was but said it was a "good site in the middle of nowhere", adding "We believe if they put the entrance in we can have it as a gypsy/traveller site for the both of us."
Although CEC own the land it would be up to SMBC to grant planning permission.
This news has caused concern amongst some councillors and residents who feel they are being kept in the dark.
Cllr Barry Burkhill, Handforth Ratepayer Independent Councillor, told wilmslow.co.uk "This was discussed briefly at the end of a very long meeting on the Local Plan at 10.30pm on Friday, 28th February.
"As yet we do not have exact details but we understand that a gypsy/traveller site is to be made available on land that Cheshire East Council own, just within Stockport Borough boundary on the edge of the proposed new settlement of Handforth East.
"This seems to have been part of a deal made between the unelected chief executives of CEC and Stockport Borough in a Memorandum of Understanding and done as a sweetener for Stockport Borough in order to help prevent them from objecting to the proposed greenbelt development of Handforth East in the draft Local Plan.
"As yet, this is a secret deal because Conservative led Cheshire East Council will not release the details of this Memorandum of Understanding until 14th March and only then because we have found out about it.
"We do not know the full implications of this and how it may affect the locality but residents will want to have their say about it and the way it has been done and we will listen to their views."
Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, commented "There has been some confusion on a site mentioned in the Memorandum Of Understanding with Stockport. I am happy to clarify the mistake by a Councillor.
"There are no sites in Cheshire East for Gypsy and Travellers at Handforth or Wilmslow. There have been sites proposed but the independent consultant has ruled these out.
"There is a site still under consideration which is Council owned land, which is based within the boundary of Stockport. This site would require cooperation with Stockport to deliver, especially on planning and access. The report will be released as soon as possible."
The main purposes of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed by the two Chief Executives on 19th February 2014, are to: establish areas of agreement between the two councils, identify areas where further work is required and set out a work programme for areas of collaboration.
The scope of the document is to cover Borough-wide development requirements, particularly housing needs in Cheshire East because meeting these will involve the allocation and delivery of a large extent of land, including gypsy and traveller accommodation; Green Belt implications of the development proposals in Cheshire East; the formulation of specific development proposals at Handforth East and the wider transport implications and mitigation proposals.
Manuel Golding, of Residents of Wilmslow (RoW) said "Cheshire East had made no mention of this MoU, believing it had a rather secret document, to store away and make public at its perceived best and most opportune time. Conservative councillors were not made aware of its existence by their leadership - they were rather surprised to hear of it!."
Manuel added "The Conservative leadership was forced to acknowledge the document on Friday night, saying it would make it public on the 14th March! Why wait? Why continue keeping their fellow councillors in the dark."
Cheshire East Council will shortly be announcing which sites have been identified as potential sites for gypsies, travellers and travelling show people. It is national policy that as part of the local plan the Council is required to identify a five year land supply for the provision of Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling show people sites. We understand that Cheshire East Council need to provide around 60 pitches in the Borough.
Cllr Michael Jones said "As part of a sub regional and pan Cheshire approach we have jointly commissioned a Gypsy and Travellers Needs Assessment to establish the need across the sub region and Cheshire East have also engaged an independent external consultant to undertake a site identification study to establish suitable sites across the authority.
"This report is in its final stages and no decision has yet been taken. Once a suitable list of sites has been established then the report will form part of the Local Plan evidence base and will be available to the public..
"It is a very difficult discussion around Traveller sites and we are being very sensitive to this. I am pleased that we have received numerous sites from the private sector and these have been examined. Once the report has been published a clear debate will be undertaken and through the planning process consultation with stakeholders and the public will be undertaken, which will be included in their Local Plan Site Allocations and Development Policies document."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Which of these words sit favourably in a democratic society?
"Secret plan" to assist Stockport Council ..... ‘On the edge of the proposed new settlement of Handforth East’ .... ‘A good site in the middle of nowhere’..... ‘a deal made between the unelected chief executives of CEC and Stockport in a M.O.U done as a sweetener ... to prevent them objecting to the greenbelt development of Handforth East’
Let them Object.. Do I detect a feint whiff of something smelly here ???
What about meeting the Cheshire resident’s requirements that continue to be failed??
This is outrageous.. once again , the mushrooms that are the taxpaying public are kept in the dark, fed on mulch whilst these underhand discussions and tactics take place.
They are local councillors ( and unlelected execs ? ) They are not the security services dealing with matters of National importance that warrant secrecy.. This is about OVERT ACCOUNTABLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
Once again Michael Jones offers his services in ‘Clarification’..a word of advice.. dont bother you and ‘clarity’ are evidential not companions from your many previous threads.
Prior public knowledge of a proposed site closer to Manchester, may well influence the Inspector's final decision in favour of local residents & the Green Belt, since the key reason for Inquiry appears to be CECs lack of suitable alternative sites in North Cheshire.
CEC have already published their final Local Plan, with sites designated for future housing. A Travellers' site may not have permanent houses, but will require hard standings and purpose built toilet & washing facilities, so should have been included in the published Local Plan. IMO
Publish the proposed location now, Cllr Jones!
As of 2012 Cheshire West held No CV to indicate his antecedents, His Job description however; Identifies required core values of ;
Openness and transparency
Honesty and integrity
Equality and fairness
( available at http://bit.ly/1q5IXtk)
Concealing public information doesn’t feature ??
though not yet made public, as being suitable for a traveller's
permanent site is.in................. Cheadle Hulme, off Grove Lane/Hall Moss Lane.
Cllr David Brown did say at last Friday's Special Council Meeting that the site he had in mind is owned by Cheshire East. It would be helpful to the local residents of both councils that he should name the site now.
Why is CE refusing to name the location? Cheshire East should consider, as paramount, the need to name the site without further prevarication
We understand residents of the Grove Lane/Acre Lane/Moss Lane areas are
already up in arms and contacting their local councillors, in spite of
Cheshire East's rather glib and customary dismissal of the very real
concerns of the neighbourhood's residents as a "good site in the
middle of nowhere".
In "the middle of nowhere"? Cheshire East knows full well what has
happened on traveller encampments around here, Earl Road, Wilmslow
High School, Carnival Fields, Alderley by-pass, some of which are
certainly in "the middle of nowhere", nevertheless all upsetting to
and causing great concern within the localities. The identified area is not
in "the middle of nowhere"; all along the Grove Lane/Hall Moss Lane road are very concerned home owners.
How will Cheshire East ensure, to the satisfaction of the neighbourhood, there will not be a repeat of the latest filth and refuse dumping at Earl Road?
All this being part of the continuing saga of secrecy that has become
the hallmark of Cheshire East, viewing this as a deal under the now
infamous Memorandum of Understanding between the chief execs of
Cheshire East and Stockport, the latter's council having not ratified
this document.
As to the secret site could it be near any of these roads ?
Mill Lane Bulkeley, Thorngrove Drive Wilmslow, Heyes Lane,Alderley Edge Ashford Road Wilmslow
Somehow I very much doubt it.
Still no press release about proposed location from CEC.
Hopefully just 13.5 mo before the Cons lose overall control of CEC at the hands of the electorate. Maybe even a change of MP for Tatton?
The only comments of note, rel to Gypsy sites appear to be
Cheshire East Council will meet its own Gypsy and Traveller/Travelling Show people accommodation requirements by Identifying sufficient appropriate sites In the Local Plan-Site Allocations and Development Policies document
Cheshire East Council will also make best endeavours through site allocations and the use of Its own land to assist Stockport Council meet Its Gypsy and Traveller/Travelling Showpeople accommodation requirements