Arthur Moran (left) and Council leader Michael Jones

A Nantwich town councillor has welcomed moves to defer a decision on a 240-homes proposal for greenfield land off Marsh Lane.

Cllr Arthur Moran (left) spoke out against the Gladman Developments proposals at a Cheshire East Council strategic planning board.

Many objectors say the plans go against Cheshire East’s draft Local Plan of developing on brownfield sites first, but this plan is still under consultation and not in place.

However, the number of objections over the Gladman proposal convinced councillors on the strategic board to defer their decision.

They want to embark on a site visit and called for highways and the developers to provide a more detailed plan on how surrounding roads will cope with the extra traffic.

Cllr Moran said: “It was as good a result as we could have expected and it buys us some time.

“There have been a lot of objections over the fact it is on a greenfield site, as well as the traffic problems it will create.

“They are proposing to make Welsh Row one way and make traffic turn left out of Queen’s Drive and past Malbank.

“Residents on Taylor Drive will also be unhappy if this is opened up to take traffic down to the Malbank junction.

“There have been a lot of objections about developments in the south of Nantwich and Edward Timpson has stepped in, but my ward in the North is also being hit by lots of applications.

“Developers are trying to get their plans in quickly before the Local Plan is adopted.”

Cheshire East Leader Cllr Michael Jones (right) declared this week that “protecting the Greenfields of Cheshire East is a number one priority for me, and I will stand by that commitment”.

He added: “People want to see redevelopment of Brownfield sites. I agree and wholly support this view, which is why I am calling for a renewal of this policy and for all Brownfield sites that can be developed on, be brought forward as quickly as possible.”

The Gladman proposals could come before the next Strategic Planning Board in March.

3 Comments

  1. Margaret Holland says:

    We are suffering from Gladman Developments behaviour in Northamptonshire. They have approval from Daventry District Council to build 200 homes on a flood plain in Woodford Halse.The plans are potentially fatal for pedestrians in the neighbouring village of Byfield.Things look bleak here.

  2. Surely if the local Parish Councils reject the proposal, the Town Council rejects the proposal, the Council suggest it is the least developable of all the current suggested sites, and the residents object in large numbers, the plan should be rejected.

    No matter how you look at Edmund Wright Way bridge making a through road, nor the junction of the historic Welsh Row with traffic lights or one way, everyone will be paying the price of this mad plan, resulting in congestion and road traffic hazards. The residential road of Queens Drive and the access only size of Marsh Lane are at capacity, no matter how the developers will try and suggest otherwise.

    Surely there are many brownfield land sites which can get developed ahead of this. Agricultural land is what makes this area so special. Urban sprawl is a curse for all our futures, it will be our children who will regret that we could not save the countryside. Why do we import horse burgers from far and wide, when Cheshire is one of the best areas of the UK to farm? Perhaps put some houses on the land and be even less self sufficient as a Nation is the answer?. Why do we have to sort all this out in a rush, develop in the areas that the Council has selected after careful consideration of all the requirements, and if there is no available land, then it should be in another area. I wonder if the residents of Marsh Lane, Edmund Wright Way, Welsh Row and Queens Drive have anticipated just what this development will mean for them? I can’t see much investment in community or infrastructure in the proposals, only drastic mediation of problems such as traffic. Does the Council think that the car problems down Queens Drive will be made better by further traffic? with cars parked on pavements both sides all the way up, they will need to put some good enforcement in to sort that one out. I wonder if double yellow lines down Queens Drive will be the next suggestion from the developers? The outline planning is at Appeal and Public Enquiry shortly, let the enquiry know your feelings when this happens. If the enquiry is stopped and these plans go ahead, it is my feeling that it will be against the majority of the wishes of this area. Cheshire planning portal: 12/2440N is the planning application number to look up for more details. I am yet to hear any positive suggestions re this development, have I missed something?

  3. This development is a total farce and should be rejected by Cheshire East.

    Not only does it use Greenfield land the road proposals are totally inadequate. Connecting Taylor Drive to Edmund Wright Way is not practical. These roads were not designed to be a ‘relief’ road from Marsh Lane. The junction with Edmund Wright Way and Marsh Lane for any volume of traffic (ie within the Gladman Proposals) is dangerous with it being on a blind bend. Therefore, I can’t see a solution to the curent road configuration at this junction which if approved by the Highways Agency would question their competence.

    In addition, if the plans are approved, it makes the draft Town Plan a meaningless document which then questions Cheshire East’s ability to deliver the vision set out within it. Ultimately making it a paper exercise! The road networks/infastructure are far more developed for the other priority areas within the draft Town Plan.

    What is the local MP’s view on this development, has he been engaged? I have seen nothing on this.

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