Over 50 supporters of 'Residents of Wilmslow' and 'Friends of Dean Row' gathered at Adlington Road on Friday, 21st May, as members of the Cheshire East Council's Strategic Planning Board made a site visit.
The plot of land is currently subject to a planning application by Jones Homes (reference 14/0007M) for a residential development of 204 homes. The site visit and silent protest was held ahead of next week's Strategic Planning Board meeting where the application will be considered and is recommended for approval.
The site is identified as safeguarded land in the Macclesfield Borough Local Plan and has now been identified in the new Cheshire East Plan, which is expected to be submitted for inspection shortly, as a strategic site which could deliver 200 homes.
Martin Lewis, of Residents of Wilmslow, said "Residents of Wilmslow has obtained the opinion of a leading planning QC who states quite clearly that it would be premature and unlawful for Cheshire East to grant planning permission for development of this site at the present time. Nevertheless all the signs are that Cheshire East are minded to give approval in a few days' time albeit illegally. Were this to happen local residents would almost certainly call for a Judicial Review of the decision which would be costly to local residents Cheshire East Council and Ratepayers."
As reported last week, Jones Homes has submitted a second revision of its plan for a residential development off Adlington Road, which increases the number of dwellings from 193 to 204, this can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning application 14/0007M.
The Strategic Planning Board meeting will take place at Macclesfield Town Hall on Wednesday 28th May, starting at 10.30am.
Comments
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UKIP topped the poll in the euro election result in Cheshire West and Chester
UKIP came 2nd to Cons in Cheshire East - but the vote share says it all :
UKIP 27,940 votes (31.17%) CONS 30,893 votes (33.36) !!!
We say
No to building on Cheshire Fields
Brownfields first.
Jones Homes had ignored parts of the Tree Preservation Order dating back to January 1974 and signed by the Secretary of State. There are more than 170 trees protected on the site. Seems that Jones Homes got it wrong.
House prices are not back to 2008 levels, interest rates will rise soon, the Mortgage Management Requirement stress test for borrowers will fail many applicants and there is an ample stock of houses for sale and to rent at all price levels. AND Wilmslow has an ample stock of brown field sites. Green fields aren't needed.
Why can't CEC encourage, even insist like national government wants, to use our Brown field sites? We recycle our waste. Our children are taught from early years the importance of recycling. Our refuse tips boast recycling % figures. So why no land recycling CEC planners? That's wrong, a vote loser and says to us, 'don't do as I do, do as I say'.
Cheshire East Council have bent over backwards to help get this site approved, despite us being told twice by Michael Jones, CEC leader, that it would never be built on.
Next election who are we going to trust Mr Jones? Your reputation has
all but vanished, like votes for conservative MEPs.
I wonder how many other sections of land disguised under various sub holding titles are similarly under developers control waiting to turn the thumb screws and manipulate the planning system further in the not too distant future?
This isn't about providing affordable housing .. its about Profit...
If we desperately need new homes, for first time buyers, young families etc..... develop brownfield. fIrst !!!... but that wont occur as it doesn't generate enough profit or incentive.
Common sense isn't common here,freedom isn't free,and justice doesn't appear just..
Well done protesters !!
The case officer, Paul Wakefield is on holiday and no members of the planning board live around here, who were stifled in their walk around the site by CEC planner with them.
Still doesn't feel like democracy and the Big Society working.
No wonder UKIP is on the rise.
Great input - I haven't seen any comments, say on this website, we have been told they do read it though. These sorts of websites are despised by the 'powers at be', except for a few notable exceptions.
Websites such as this inform locals as to what is going on via direct reporting and allows a direct response via the comments section from interested parties.
It by-passes the normal communication and mainstream media channels of the councils, MP's etc. The normal normal spin and waffle is removed and highlights the charade of 'so called' democracy in-action. How many issues have been highlighted on these pages, Tatton Park, Llyme Green, Adlington Road and the new Handforth East Village etc.
Openness is a 'sham' and only gets quoted when they want re-electing. No wonder they don't want to be drawn into a 'live' discussion on sites like this as it'll all be recorded and will be there in the public domain forever.
An interesting point.... I care about this issue ........ and would appreciate some meaningful words of wisdom from officialdom....... voiced in such a forum......... It is notable how many councillors, representatives etc choose to invest a bit of time engaging with social media such as this... (and thus their voting public)..... not unreasonable if it can be squeezed into their hectic schedules.......... and should be commended.... In touch with the public .......................... And then at the opposite end of the spectrum........... look over on the sister site alderleyedge.com you can't keep some 'officials' of it ( no names mentioned ) ....... The entertainment value is huge, doesn't actually justify many of the issues raised but does appear a reason why some should perhaps revert to papyrus / quill / pigeon post / and leave this new fangled technology to others !!
The ballot box will be too late for those beautiful fields. They look especially lovely at the moment which makes yesterday's approval-to-dig and the distress that brings to so many residents even harder to bear.
Unfortunately the odds are stacked against you.
The Tories were given £3m before the last election by the building industry, it should come as no surprise that the planning laws were changed almost immediately to steam roller this sort of application through.
This is not just a Cheshire issue, it's happening across England.
The developers don't want brownfield sites, to much trouble. They don't want to do small pockets of building spread evenly around the borough. They want big green fields, easy logistics, and no build issues on old land.
With additional bribes to local councils etc. to build, also from the Government along with land owners seeing this as a golden opportunity (I don't blame them, it's financial security for their families). It's a perfect storm for poor, vested interest, planning mistakes.
I hope you all remember how you have been treated at the ballot box.