Campaigners in Wilmslow have stepped up their efforts to prevent a a gypsy site being built on green belt land off Moor Lane.
About thirty local residents gathered at the Rifleman's Arms on Saturday, 5th May, to voice their concern over these plans and discuss how best to oppose them.
Meanwhile over 350 objections have been sent to Cheshire East Council, in response to the application (reference 12/1144M) which has been submitted by Matthew Green, of Green Planning Solutions, dubbed the 'Gypsy King' for his support of gypsies living in illegal dwellings on greenbelt sites.
The application is on behalf of Mr John Allen and seeks permission for a mobile home, one proposed touring caravan and a proposed utility/day room - which has raised fears that the intention is for many more caravans to occupy this site.
Terry Sleigh, of Moor Lane, said "The application asks for the placing of a mobile home for the five members of Mr Allen's family. It also asks for the building of a 'day room' which will have washing, toilet and cooking facilities. Why is this required when many mobile homes have better facilities than my house?"
Ruth Murray, of Clifford Road, organised the residents meeting. She told wilmslow.co.uk "I felt I ought to do something, I don't want it to be a fait accompli, I don't want the council to think we're happy with these plans."
Ruth said "I think it would be safe to say that the overwhelming majority of opinions expressed at the meeting were that nobody wanted this green belt land to be developed for any purposes whatsoever.
"Several issues were raised that would make it unsatisfactory, these being access, Japanese knot weed, drainage, historical heritage, wildlife, removal of waste, recycling of rubbish.
"We discussed the plan of action to be taken to try to ensure that the planning department were aware that there are many strong objections to this planning and to this end everybody decided to get as many people as possible, including themselves, to write and email to object to this application in the strongest terms possible.
Ruth added "In the event that this planning application is granted, we would have a further meeting to see if we can get a local solicitor involved to help us fight an appeal.
"In the meantime we still need to find a local solicitor, so if anybody knows of one who is willing or if indeed you are a local solicitor and would like to help then please get in contact."
The planning application, reference 12/1144M, can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website.
Representations have to be submitted by May 11th.
This application may be discussed at the Northern Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday 23rd May, although it will depend on the turnaround of papers and other items on the agenda. Otherwise it is likely to be discussed at the following meeting in mid-June.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Before any application can be considered the applicant must have all the relevent surveys done to confirm that no endangered species are living in that area.
Has this been done?
Have the Cheshire Wildlife Trust been made aware of the application?
Or any other similar organisations?
Should you wish to attend and speak at the meeting it is necessary to contact the support officer, Gaynor Hawthornthwaite by email at .
The details of the meeting and the agenda will be posted on the Cheshire site approximately a week before the meeting.
To access this information on the website do the following (I had to be talked through), On the home page of Cheshire East, type
"planning committees" into the search box.
Then click on "Planning Committees"
Scroll down to "Northern and Southern Planning Committees"
The first bullet point below this is
"Northern Planning Committee dates, agendas, minutes and reports"
Click on this, you will be taken to "Browse Meetings"
Scroll down and click on "23rd May 2012, 2.00pm"
This is where the details of the meeting may be found.
May I also point out that in my previous postings to this site, I have mentioned about "travellers" being down Carr Lane, Wilmslow. Had I been an investigative reporter I would have checked my facts first. It appears (through reported local knowledge) that the people on Carr Lane may not be associated in any way with "travellers". If I have misreported and caused anyone any embarrassment, I do sincerely apologise.
• The application lacks clarity and so it impossible to gather the intentions of the applicant. The application mentions 1 caravan and then the details move to the plural. It seems that the integrity of this application is questionable and the longer term implications are then unclear. We are particularly unclear about why communal facilities would be needed for one caravan
• The application has been made for green belt land and residents of Wilmslow are increasingly concerned about the longer term plans of an elected council and whether the planning committee are acting in the best interests of the community as a whole.
• The wastage section of this plan does not appear to be in line with the rest of it and so the plan has either been filled in incorrectly or again the integrity of the plan comes under question
• The proposed site is an established green belt area and thus inappropriate for a development of this kind.
• The area has universally recognised historic links e.g. the discovery of Lindow Pete, now displayed in the British Museum . The site could yield further historic relics.
• The planning proposal in unclear regarding the potential number of pitches. It states one pitch with day room facilities which would appear to be unnecessary for one dwelling and could imply a potential for multiple occupancy. This would appear to be contrary to the application.
• It would increase the amount of traffic on Moor Lane, a road which is very narrow and already very busy. It would also cause risk around the access site, which is very narrow. Access to the proposed site is completely unsuitable as Moor Lane is narrow and becomes a single track road but its access to the countryside makes it popular with families taking walks and also horse riders, especially as there are several equestrian properties adjacent to the site.
• Are the local services and facilities able to support additional demands and how would any additional funding be accommodated?
• This is not a recognised traveller site and planning consent has not been granted in the past.
• We are concerned about the impact this development might have on the quality of life and values of the properties in the area should this application be approved. We very strongly urge the council not to proceed.