Our MP George Osborne is questioning whether peat extraction should continue at an historic site in Wilmslow.
Saltersley Common Preservation Society contacted the Tatton MP again last month asking for his assistance to stop the peat extraction at Lindow Moss, which experts say has caused subsidence to Newgate Kennels and a number of neighbouring houses as well as diminishing the population of water voles, which are the most endangered mammal species in the UK with nearly 90% having disappeared in the last seven years.
George Osborne confirmed that he has raised the matter with Cheshire East Council and is awaiting a response.
He told wilmslow.co.uk "Lindow Moss is an incredible piece of our natural ancient landscape, and while I completely respect that the Council has to abide by the rules, we should consider whether extracting peat is really the best use we can make of this beautiful and historic site."
Planning permission for peat extraction on Lindow Moss was granted by five separate permissions between 1959 and 1967, these expire in February 2042.
Croghan Peat Industries Ltd of Meare in Somerset purchased Lindow Moss in 1997-8 and in December 2014 they submitted two planning applications, to build 14 detached houses on part of Lindow Moss and restore the 28 hectare peat extraction site to a natural wetland habitat.
The owners are proposing to cease peat extraction if planning permission for the houses is granted however the two applications, which were expected to be decided in March and April 2015, are both are yet to be determined. At the time of publication we are awaiting confirmation from Cheshire East Council as to why a decision about these planning applications has been delayed for 18 months.
Photo: Ecological consultant Derek Gow during his recent survey of Lindow Moss, after which he told wilmslow.co.uk the "peat extraction is simply devastating".
Comments
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We wouldn't have had to seek opinion of ecological consultants, go to the LGO (who found the council guilty of maladministration but were ignored) seek counsels opinion, solicitors, hydrologists and planning consultants and now insurance companies and loss adjusters. All at great expense. All because CEC and our local Councillor refused to accept the evidence of their own eyes.
A geological map of the area shows that the proposed housing site is directly ON the peat bog.
Would you personally ever consider buying a house on a sinking peat bog?