A number of local residents have objected to Styal Prison's plan to build a recycling centre and access road on a site which currently houses a storage yard for the prison.
The proposed recycling centre would be located within the grounds of the prison, which falls within the Green Belt, on a previously developed brownfield site, outside of the secure fencing area.
The recycling centre would be a new joint initiative between HM Prisons Styal and the North-West Charity Recycling Lives which aims to provide real life training for 6 to 8 prisoners at a time, under the supervision of two members of staff.
Recycling Lives create employment opportunities for prisoners and ex-offenders to aid rehabilitation and reduce reoffending. They have been awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development for providing training and employment at recycling centres, which operate within HMP facilities.
Based on data from from similar Recycling Lives facilities the expected operational capacity of the Styal site is 2768 tonnes of recycled material a year.
A letter circulated to local residents stated "This is designed as a rehabilitation facility and whilst this clearly has its merits, could have an impact upon residents in and around Styal and the Styal Road area.
"Traffic on Styal Road is already heavy, particularly at certain times of day - it can be extremely difficult to access onto, both from properties located on Styal Road and from residential streets located off Styal Road."
To date nearly 50 residents or visitors to Styal village have submitted letters of objection, mainly raising concerns about noise pollution, traffic congestion and the negative impact on the countryside and Green Belt.
One local resident said "As a resident of Hollin Lane, I strongly object to the proposed recycling centre in Styal. Styal village is a conservation area and historical National Trust village, even the idea of considering to build a recycling centre here is unbelievable!
"Both Hollin Lane and Styal Road have seen a significant increase in the traffic pollution over the past few years and are already far too dangerous because of the ever increasing number vehicles using this as a gateway to the airport and motorway network.
"Access to the proposed site, be it from Styal Road, Hollin Lane or Station Road, involve areas of extremely tight single carriageway wholly unsuitable to increased traffic pressure, particularly large commercial vehicles. The inevitable noise created from the recycling will add further to the existing noise pollution and the amount of air pollution that all these lorries would cause is also worrying."
Another resident said "As a local to the area I feel this would cause a negative effect on the lovely area of Styal. There would be added congestion on the roads and would obviously cause considerable more pollution to the area as well as noise pollution. Styal is a place where people wish to come and visit for the peace and quiet and the lovely scenery and I feel this would definitely cause a negative effect on a lovely little village."
Another stated "Styal is one of the prettiest villages around, as a resident, we strongly object to more development on green belt land. One of the reasons why it is so popular to visit is its rural location, if this is ruined then the council will see revenue fall from its other attractions. In addition, this would add even more traffic to Styal Road which is already too busy and has a dangerous level of traffic."
Updated 26th July: The planning application can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning reference 17/3072M. The last date for submitting comments has been put back to August 9th, and a decision is expected by August 10th.
What do you think about plans to build a recycling centre at Styal Prison to aid rehabilitation and reduce reoffending? Share your views via the comment box below.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Styal Prison already does its bit for charity and rehabilitation through "the Clink" restaurant.
I notice that National Trust are conspicuous in their absence as neighbours that have been consulted over this application. I rang them this morning and I hope they will complain? The direct link to the application on CEC is http://planning.cheshireeast.gov.uk and search criteria is 17/3072M so get your objections in by the new deadline.
Thank you for letting me know about the extension to the deadline. I will update the article so readers know.
Regarding your comment about the lack of notice from wilmslow.co.uk - yes this was unfortunate but please bear in mind that I run both wilmslow.co.uk and alderleyedge.com singlehandedly.
I was only made aware of this application on Monday evening (unfortunately things do slip through the net sometimes as it is not always possible for me to cover everything in Styal, Handforth and Wilmslow) and I wrote the article and published it the next day whilst on the aeroplane travelling back from holiday with my family - as some local residents asked me to cover it.
Regards Lisa
I could see that this link is extremely valuable to the prison and any expansion of a successful enterprise should be encouraged
I wonder just how many people realise that the prison occupies a former Victorian orphanage and the site itself is laid out like a village with gardens that are maintained by both staff and inmates
@ Michelle, actually I "realised" that this place occupies a former Victorian orphanage, etc. However, those who are incarcerated there are in for a reason- it's a prison, they did bad things.