Firm makes third bid for green belt homes
DEVELOPERS bidding to put homes on Gawsworth greenbelt land are hoping it will be third time lucky for their controversial proposals.
A Cheshire East Council planning committee is set to rule on an application from its arm’s length company Engine of the North today (January 15).
It is the third occasion the plans, for councilowned land off Dark Lane, have been scheduled for a decision as the previous two times they have been pushed back.
In the meantime residents in the area continue to oppose the 10-home scheme and their objections include loss of greenbelt and highway safety.
A petition of around 70 signatures has been submitted to the council.
Linda Miller is among those to sign is and said:
“It is my sincere hope that the planning committee evaluate the proposal and robustly reject the planning application and are responsible for planning permission means that the highest standards of accountability are required.”
Meetings to decide the application had been scheduled for November 6 and December 4.
Among objectors are Save Gawsworth Green Belt group, Gawsworth Parish Council and MP David Rutley, who describes Dark Lane as ‘not an appropriate site’.
They say the nearby A536 is already busy and dangerous and there would be a loss of agricultural land.
Eight of the 10 homes would be affordable housing but Linda says the need for this in the area is lessened by the large housing development planned for a site off Congleton Road.
A report by consultants Frost Planning, submitted with the application, says any concerns raised will be dealt with adequately and ‘much-needed’ affordable housing will be supplied.
It states: “The highway mitigation and improvement measures will ensure safe access for future residents and improve existing access.
”The physical impact of the development on the local landscape is very limited due to the sympathetic layout, limited massing, extensive new landscaping, and the appropriate overall detailed design.
“The proposal constitutes sustainable development. It accords with the development plan.”