Cheshire East Council has confirmed that it is in negotiation to purchase land at Nether Alderley which is adjoining Alderley Park and owned by AstraZeneca.
The Green Belt land is located opposite Alderley Park on Congleton Road and consists of 9.72 acres of agricultural land.
The Council wishes to allay the concerns of local residents that the land is being purchased for development purposes and wishes to point out that the 9.72 acre parcel will be managed by the Council's Cheshire Farms team and could be let out as farm land.
The Leader of Cheshire East Council, Councillor Michael Jones said today: "The land is Green Belt and there are no intentions whatsoever of taking it out of Green Belt.
"I can state that there are no plans to build on this land.
"Our reason for acquiring this land is because we wish to protect it and do not wish to see it fall into the hands of developers.
"As the residents of Cheshire East are aware I will fight to the death to prevent any inappropriate, unplanned development in the Green Belt."
Councillor Jones will be meeting with Nether Alderley Parish Council this evening (Tuesday 21st October) to discuss this purchase.
The agents Jones Lang LaSalle have confirmed that the sale is not yet complete, saying "Cheshire East are under offer (subject to contract) but haven't bought the site yet."
Cheshire East Council declined to disclose how much the land, which is next to Bentley House, is costing them.
Click here to view details of the land and a map of its location.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Cllr Jones told Dean Row residents that the green fields on Adlington Road would never be built on. Yet here we are, with a planning permission granted and s106 payments agreed. 450 residents' views were ignored as were WTC and Wilmslow Trust. The latter had a brilliant proposal. Totally ignored sadly. Now a Judicial Review is being seriously considered at huge expense for residents and CEC?
How can we trust the word of this councillor?
I and not doubt many others are deeply saddened by words and deeds that must surely discredit local democracy. The waste of our community charges must not be ignored next May or perhaps sooner.
Spot the obvious lie.
Still, in fairness to Cllr Jones, building companies do make detailed plans to squeeze maximum profit out of their green belt developments.
I would strongly encourage develpoment across our great nation! Even in cosy little affluent villages or towns! Change is indeed hard.....but one you should all embrace!
The average price of house across the UK far exceeds median wages. In cheshire east this is particularly pronounced....and its due to simple problem defined as (high demand & lack of supply) and yes this means new housing across the property spectrum! (not just first time buyers). How do the second time / third time buyers move when a decent property in this area costs +£500k? which means a salary of £130k-£150k per year?
I hope Cheshire East become a more progressive, forward thinking and ambitious council that start taking a more pragmatic approach to development!
I for one, applaud him.
However, his stance here does not match up to his council's desire to cash in on its very own green belt buffer between Cheshire and Stockport at Handforth.
http://bit.ly/ZJiTLe