Lindow Moss development plans revealed

Plans to build 14 detached houses on part of Lindow Moss and restore the 28 hectares peat extraction site to a natural wetland habitat have been revealed.

A public exhibition was held last week to share with the local community the plans to redevelop Lindow Moss peat extraction site into a public access open space, along with a residential development of 14 detached homes.

Organisers confirmed that the exhibition was a hugely successful event, which was attended by approximately 60 people over the two days.

The site is located to the south west of Wilmslow Town Centre with access from Moor Lane and the proposal concerns two planning applications.

The first application is for the 28 hectare peat extraction site and the second application relates to an area of 1.763 hectares to the south of the peat bog, both of which lie within the Green Belt.

The owners of the land Mr A Rowland and Mr R Bond are proposing that peat extraction ceases at an early stage and Lindow Moss is restored as a matrix of peatland wetland habitats by encouraging the return of native flora and fauna and enhancing the range of habitats which already exist. The proposal is to create a community resource at Lindow Moss which will prevent the backfilling of the site with inert waste.

Linked to the cessation of the peat extraction on Lindow Moss, there will be a second application for a housing development, located off Moor Lane. This will replace the processing area with a development of 14 sustainable family homes which will be arranged in clusters around courtyards. Existing perimeter landscaping will be retained to limit views into the site.

Planning permission for peat extraction on Lindow Moss was granted by five separate permissions between 1959 and 1967, these expire on 28th February 2042.

At present the western part of the peat extraction area must be restored either to a nature conservation after use or an amenity that promotes nature conservation. The eastern section must be restored to agricultural after use by backfilling.

Alistair Yates, Senior Planning & Design Consultant at AXIS said "The comments we received were overwhelmingly supportive of the proposals, especially for the early restoration of the peat excavation site to a natural wetland habitat, which would be of significant value to the local community.

"Broadly speaking, the main concerns surrounded the potential increase in traffic that the housing development might generate, the ground conditions beneath the site on which the housing is proposed, and site drainage. There was also a lot interest regarding how the restoration of the peat extraction site would be achieved in practice and how it would be managed over the longer term. These matters, amongst others, would be addressed within the documentation submitted with the planning applications for the developments.

"In terms of next steps, we are now focussing our efforts on compiling the considerable environmental information relating to both planning applications with a view to submitting them to the Council as soon as possible."

Tags:
Lindow Moss, Moor Lane
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Sally Hoare
Tuesday 28th January 2014 at 2:46 pm
This part of town is not known for big detached houses. I thought we needed affordable homes.
I live on Moor lane and have no problem with houses being built on the site of the old buildings, but I would prefer them to be more smaller ones. I don`t believe this would make a difference to the number of cars.
Chris Boothman
Tuesday 28th January 2014 at 6:47 pm
I note "prevent the backfilling of the site with inert waste" is mentioned here and I also picked up on this Friday evening. It would appear that a failure to get agreement will mean landfill is the next option.
Rob Sawyer
Tuesday 28th January 2014 at 9:14 pm
I attended the exhibition which posed a number of questions. The two reps hosting the event did not have detailed knowledge of the proposed restoration plan but it appears that there would be little in the way of infill, instead much of the "dug" area would gradually be waterlogged to create a wetland area.

The current restoration plan (under the 2003 planning consent for peat extraction) stipulated backfilling of the site once extraction had ended. In fact most inert waste (e.g. soil and concrete) is recycled for use elsewhere already and would not be cheap. I can't see refuse landfill taking place.

Is this a last throw of the dice by Croghan Peat Ltd to generate some income from the site or would they really carry on with further peat extraction on either side of Rotherwood Road if planning consent is not forthcoming? Sadly, under the existing licenses they can extract so deep that only half a metre of peat is left.

We need to know more about how the Moss restoration (a 25 year project) would be funded and about how we could be sure that parties involved would not just walk away.

Personally I would accept a small development on the site of the peat farm buildings in order to save the Moss from further destruction - however we need more detail in order to make informed comments.
Derek Stevens
Wednesday 29th January 2014 at 8:56 am
Who would buy these houses with a gypsy site over their back fence?
Derek Stevens
Wednesday 29th January 2014 at 10:11 am
I wonder if Croghan Peat are aware of the pending travellers site next door to their proposed.

This whole area is fast becoming the next 'Adlington Road' development area.

Ned Yates,The Peat Bog,travellers site and now that Mobberley Golf course has closed (with planning permission to build a manor house already) the fairways close to the above developments could be next.
This whole area may not be green belt for much longer. Check out the aerial view for close proximities
Anthony Evans
Friday 31st January 2014 at 4:48 pm
Like Rob, I think there are still more questions to be answered:-
1.How will they gain access on a private road only 2.5 metres wide in places?
2. Is there any mains drainage?
3. Why are there two separate applications, one for building and one for restoration?
4. How will they tackle the subsidence issues affecting the east of the site caused by the extraction ( even though Cheshire East deny this is the case) with Newgate Kennels estimating a cost of £800000.00 to repair the damage so far?
5. Where will they find the inert waste with over 90% now going to recycling plants?
6. Will Croghan carry out their threat to clear the untouched area on Rotherwood Road for further extraction of peat nobody wants. After all, they have been extracting for 15 years and currently have £51000.00 in the bank, £158000.00 in assets (the moss?) and liabilities of £816000.00 so it's hardly a profitable business.

Fourteen years of monitoring this company and its dealings with first Cheshire County Council and now Cheshire East means we don't trust any of them.
They have lied to us, as we pointed out to Councillor Barton at the exhibition and with which he agreed.
If the proposal does go through, and it might be the only way to save the wreckage left by Croghan, then I would suggest an independent body should be formed to keep an eye on all of the.