A council leader told a packed Nantwich meeting he would fight “unsustainable” housing developments threatening the town.
Leader of Cheshire East Cllr Michael Jones addressed around 100 people in Stapeley.
They attended a public meeting at Pear Tree Primary School to air their fears over Muller Property’s 1,100-homes plan for “Nantwich South”.
“This is not something I think is good for the people of Stapeley,” he said.
“I don’t support Stapeley having any further development until they put in better road networks and infrastructure.”
He also criticised Muller for “poor dialogue” over the plan which the company is expected to submit to Cheshire East Council in the next couple of weeks.
“We’re not very happy with that dialogue, but that’s their choice. But I can tell you, Cheshire East is against any unsustainable developments in Nantwich.”
Cllr Jones also accused housing developers targeting Cheshire East of “land-banking” so houses could be built and sold when the market picks up in later years.
“Make no mistake, this is about profit and money, and it’s not right,” he added.
“We will look at this application forensically if and when it is submitted, and in particular any traffic plan they put forward.
“They will have to come up with some pretty strong reasons to put more traffic on these roads.”
Many residents spoke of their anger over the plans, and called on reassurances from Cheshire East to prevent the development.
Pat Cullen, who runs the Protect Stapeley campaign group, said: “If and when that application is made all of us and more need to write our objections.”
Resident Adele West added: “Trucks are already mounting pavements, crashing into hedges and nearly hitting children going to school down Broad Lane.
“Building another 1,000 homes would just increase congestion. There’s going to be a serious incident down there.”
Others questioned what is “sustainable” and queried why any plans to build on “green fields” could be considered.
“We don’t want to put more traffic on the streets of Nantwich,” added Cllr Jones.
“Sustainable does not mean injuring babies in prams, and trucks crashing into headges and running off the road.
“However, we will not prejudice the process. We will do a thorough analysis of any application that comes in and councillors will vote on it.”
A representative for MP Edward Timpson told the meeting he was against the plans.
What do you think? Share your views here.
If this development goes ahead in any shape or form then something is clearly going wrong and there should be an official enquiry.
The area simply can not withstand more housing and its vehicles without severely reducing the quality of life for those already living in it.
As this is already known , then any progression should give existing residents compensatory recourse for detriments . I’m not joking. Who wants to wait in a 20-30 minute queue to get out of Stapeley , because that’s whats coming. It already takes 25 Minutes to get through Nantwich . The cost of fuel, delay, carbon expulsion for starters.
To alter the roadworks would be to ruin this lovely Market Town completely , which has suffered enough aesthetic blows and can’t take any more without changing its character forever.
There are enough houses for sale , there simply isn’t a need
in this area . We don’t want it turned in to a large Town. Aside from which we would need a new hospital etc so more and more land would disappear.
Build a new town somewhere else!
The existing infrastructure can’t cope with the heavy traffic volumes we already have. Imagine what it’s like for parents and children walking into Broad Lane school every day. And it’s the same at many of the primary schools in Nantwich.
Get a feel for what it’s like, take a look at the photos and videos on my blog of the “Mad, scary and bad” situation that’s already here (trafficchaos.wordpress.com). Imagine what this would be like with hundreds more vehicles leaving the preferred development sites identified in the draft Nantwich Town Strategy.
Leader of Cheshire East Cllr Michael Jones:
“I don’t support Stapeley having any further development until they put in better road networks and infrastructure.”
Who is “they” How about Cheshire East stepping in to improve the already bottlenecked and inadequate infrastructure thus alleviating the problems and traffic risks already currently experienced at Broad Lane
He also criticised Muller for “poor dialogue” over the plan which the company is expected to submit to Cheshire East Council in the next couple of weeks.
In the interests of dialogue with the Community, can Cllr Jones explain Cheshire East’s shambolic approach to the existing Cronkinson estate, the non-enforcement of s106 agreements, land-swap in the conservation area enabling Developers to build on earmarked recreation areas, the Vodafone phone mast planning department “cock-up” to name but a few.
“Cheshire East is against any unsustainable developments in Nantwich.”
Clearly stating the obvious, why would they not be ?
“Make no mistake, this is about profit and money”
Why would you expect anything else from a Commercial Organisation ?
“Sustainable does not mean injuring babies in prams, and trucks crashing into headges and running off the road.
Sensationalist Clap-trap we could do without.
“However, we will not prejudice the process. We will do a thorough analysis of any application that comes in and councillors will vote on it.”
So it’s been approved by the back door then !