Jodrell bosses oppose housing plan

SCIENTISTS have joined hundreds of villagers in objecting to a proposed housing development.

A planning application proposes the demolition of the Black Swan pub on Trap Street, Lower Withington, which would be replaced with three detached houses.

But professor Simon Garrington, director of the Jodrell Bank Observatory, has now also opposed the development, saying new houses would cause disruption to the telescope’s signal.

In his statement on the council’s planning portal, he said: “Equipment commonly used at residential dwellings causes radio frequency interference that can impair the efficient operation of the radio telescopes at Jodrell Bank.” He added that while the impact is relatively minor, it will contribute to the existing level of interference.

Nearly 200 people have objected to the plans. They have expressed concern over the loss of the pub, which has the status of Asset of Community Value.

Tim Pearson from the Friends of the Black Swan community group says that the coming weeks are crucial. He said: “We are grateful that even more people have taken the trouble to record their continued objection to any planning application which proposes demolition and urge CEC to recognise the weight of local support for our cause.”

Gately PLC, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the pub was no longer ‘economically viable’.

Commenting on the council website, they said: “The Black Swan had been running at a considerable loss.

“It was not sustainable to continue operating and as a result The Black Swan public house closed.”