The new Leader of Cheshire East Council met with our MP George Osborne today, Friday 25th May, to discuss the Draft Wilmslow Vision consultation.
I caught up with Cllr Michael Jones after his meeting with the Chancellor to discuss the consultation.
He said "This is a Cheshire wide process, it is a process about ensuring that what is done in the next 20 years for Cheshire East is done for the betterment of the people of Cheshire East."
Speaking about the Vision, he added "In Wilmslow we have made simple mistakes. Firstly there was a mixed message about the town centre vision and the Local Plan, as a consequence we will be putting the Town Centre Vision back until next year so we can have a robust Local Plan without confusion.
"We need to be robust, we need people to look at things that are controversial but this will be a victory for the community by the people of Wilmslow, they will see in October when the Local Plan consultation comes out how much they have won.
"There is no confusion at Cheshire East Council on what sites people are telling us they want undeveloped, there is no question that we need to develop brownfield sites and keep away from green belt sites.
"The total aim is to reduce speculative development, unless we have a robust case we will have development on the green belt.
"I don't see why the last 20 years should not be the next 20 years in terms of the number of houses being built."
Cllr Jones added "Cheshire East Council clearly won the involvement of Wilmslow, it is a victory for Cheshire East and a victory for the people of Wilmslow.
"When we tear away the facade of conspiracy theories it is going to be good news for people who are going to see that Cheshire East listens to them - it is good news.
"It is a victory for the people at large who have given us absolute clarity about what they want so the Vision will be real."
Photo: (l-r) MP George Osborne, Cllr Michael Jones (Leader of Cheshire East Council) and Cllr Ruth McNulty (Vice-Chair of Wilmslow Town Council).
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
At the bottom of this affair, Wilmslow residents have uncovered a very unhealthy web of connected individuals and interests -Individuals and companies which stand to gain personally from the development of Wilmslow in ways its residents do not want.
This battle is not over - it has just begun. Revelations so far are already worthy of mention in Private Eye -has anyone sent them the dossier sto date? When do we go national?
Absolutely amazing! Cheshire East has not "won" the involvement of Wilmslow; it has been overwhelmed by the involvement of the people of Wilmslow.
No mention of the Draft Wilmslow Vision Sustainability Review consultation (closing date 31st May)?
No mention of the Draft Revised Interim Planning Policy for the Release of Housing Land (closing date 29th May)?
See: http://cheshireeast-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/
I cannot believe that despite Cllr. Jones protestations to the contrary, two or three months ago, that there are no plans. I beieve that he is treating us poorly by keeping us in the dark. Will he be telling us to vote"NO" again or will he be taking responsibility and ownership of what is proposed by CEC?.
I am deeply disappointed by recent events, this is not what I had hoped for from the new CEC and am of the view that The Conservative Party locally will suffer very badly at the next elections. In the meantime we shall take every opportunity to harden support in favour of the three red lines..... No interference with The Rectory Fields............ No demolition of The Leisure Centre.............. No relocation of The Library.