ASSURANCES

Community to decide on plans for Cheadle’s future

have been made that ‘nothing could be further from the truth’ that there are plans to knock down public buildings in a Moorlands town.

There was outrage last week after a report to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council on proposals to redevelop Cheadle, which included proposals to build houses on the sites of the hospital and leisure centre.

But on Monday night, district council leader Sybil Ralphs, left, said residents would be consulted over any plans.

PLANS to redevelop Cheadle will be decided by the people of the community – a leading councillor has stated.

Anger erupted in the town last week following a report to members of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s ruling cabinet on proposals to redevelop the town.

However, many town councillors said that they knew nothing of the report which included proposals to build a community hub on Tape Street car park and houses on the sites of the hospital, leisure centre and Newlands Care Home.

Following major concerns, Monday night’s meeting of Cheadle Town Council was attended by the leader of the Moorlands council, Councillor Sybil Ralphs, chief executive Andrew Stokes and executive officer Neil Rogers.

In a presentation to the town council, Councillor Ralphs said: “Cheadle is a good and popular town. Now it could become a great town. The plan is for the future of Cheadle to ensure excellent health and leisure facilities, but the decision has to be made by people who live, work and visit the town.

“It is intended to set up a stakeholder panel. This would consist of three council members of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council from Cheadle; two or three members from Cheadle Town Council; members from the chamber of commerce, business, voluntary and historical sections plus the town mayor. All people from Cheadle will decide.

“The second part will be a delivery board. This will have representatives from the Moorlands council, Staffordshire County Council, North Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and the town mayor.

“We will ask the people what they want for the town and surrounding areas.

“What disappoints me is that you were given options, and not told that the hospital and leisure centre would be knocked down. You can have the leisure centre renovated and keep it where it is, another option is to rebuild a new one in another part of the town. It’s up to the people of Cheadle to decide.

“With the hospital, do you want a community building with several facilities from a single location? Again this will be decided by the people of the town.

“People will have some fantastic ideas. We have been told that something should be done with the car parks, you now have the opportunity to decide what you want to benefit Cheadle.

“There is nothing further from the truth that we are going to knock down buildings.”

Councillor Kate Martin said it would be a good idea to include the schools’ sixth forms in the stakeholder group.

Councillor Ray Wood said: “Why did you not speak to the people of Cheadle first? The leisure centre could be done up. We would have to suffer from excessive housing. I do not believe people in Cheadle will have their say, as I feel it has been done.”

Councillor Richard Alcock said: “We have not got a representative on the cabinet who lives in Cheadle. It is made up of Conservatives with the same ideas and opinions.

“Cross-party representatives would bring a fresh approach instead of the party whip system.

“There is no democracy in the cabinet, how can people decide when on the same group what we have in Cheadle?

“In 30 years on the council this is the most ludicrous idea that we have heard. To knock down a new hospital and build houses on the site is ridiculous.”

Councillor Gary Bentley said that the issue could have been handled better.

He said: “Both the hospital and leisure centre sites are big and could be expanded. People fought to save the hospital, but if we can’t have it then could we have a hotel.”

Councillor Stephen Ellis said he was disappointed with the way it had been received.

He said: “The Master Plan is a key document. People in Cheadle are struggling as we have gone from step A to step C. The leisure centre is an ageing building, but there are strong connections to the way it was funded. People are passionate.”

Councillor Ron Locker said he was shocked that proposals included knocking down the two main town assets.

He said: “A number of proposed developments have come to nothing. Staffordshire County Council knocked down Lightwood Care Home and we have seen the demise of the hospital.

“People have to go out of town for facilities. The care home site is still vacant and just lying there, 20 bungalows could have been built there.

“The hospital is owned by the NHS. It is not fair that you have to travel to Stoke and then have to find a parking place which affects your blood pressure and gives out the wrong readings. Cheadle has been neglected.”

Councillor Alan Thomas said “I am saddened now as people are saying the leisure centre is being knocked down.”

Councillor Rob Slater said that a walk-in centre was required in the town which could be operated by doctors on a rota, while Councillor Hugh Black said that communication had been atrocious.

You now have the opportunity to decide what you want to BENEFIT Cheadle. There is nothing further from the truth that we are going to knock down buildings...

Summing up the meeting, town mayor Ian Plant said: “We have got to get rid of the negativity in the town. I look forward to listening to the people.”

The Independent group on Staffordshire Moorlands District Council have now called in the issue following the Moorlands council’s approval for the establishment of a Cheadle Town Centre Delivery Board and Stakeholder Panel.

This means that the report will have to go before the council for further discussions.