Local Labour councillors say Crewe & Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan did not do enough to stop the controversial Muller development decision in Nantwich.
They claim a Freedom of Information request shows the Conservative MP made no representations to Government ahead of the Secretary of State Robert Jenrick’s decision to grant Muller permission to begin their “Nantwich South” development.
But the MP hit back at the criticism, saying it was “a shame” the constituency’s former Labour MP did not make representations at the original Public Inquiry.
Muller is now allowed to build 189 homes and an access road into the development on land between Peter de Stapeleigh Way, Audlem Road and the A51 London Road.
The decision delivered in July came after an eight-year campaign to prevent the development, including in Cheshire East Council’s Local Plan and Stapeley’s Neighbourhood Plan.
Cheshire East Council have said it does not have legal grounds to appeal.
Crewe and Nantwich Labour Party Chair Connor Naismith said: “The decision by the Secretary of State to overrule residents and local decision makers in favour of a private developer is disappointing but at this point unsurprising.
“The Government’s Planning White Paper will likely bring with it a raft of speculative housing applications by big private developers our communities neither want nor need.
“If these FOI documents are accurate, they reveal that we cannot rely on our MP to speak up for residents when it matters because he thinks their votes can be taken for granted.”
But Mr Mullan hit back, saying the idea of party loyalty stopping him from speaking out about the plan was “nonsense”.
He added: “This decision relates to a public inquiry run in February 2018 before I was elected and when somebody else was the MP.
“I want to reiterate I think the wrong decision has been made.
“I am glad local councillors made statements to the original inquiry and made residents views very clear and it is a shame the Labour MP at the time didn’t do the same.
“When the Secretary of State ruled this year, people that took part in the original inquiry were invited to make any further limited representations.
“As I was not a participant in the original inquiry that didn’t include me.
“Obviously that has been very frustrating for me.
“Anyone who read my election leaflets knows I have been very clear that I oppose housing developments without more investment in our local public services and infrastructure.
“I have already begun work with local public services to try and give them a stronger voice in the planning process.
“As I did with the Barony, I am now focused on actually making a difference.
“I got stuck in, got to know the details of the issue, actually did practical stuff and made a difference as a result.
“I will work with residents directly and they can be the judge of whether I do a good job. Not the local Labour Party.”
Former Labour MP Laura Smith said Mr Mullan should not “pass the blame”.
The current Crewe Labour councillor, who lived in Stapeley at the time, added: “At the time, I contacted Sajid Javid who was Secretary of State at the time regarding this development.
“I also met with constituents and shared their concerns with the department, as well as meeting with Stapeley Parish Council to make sure I was accessible to support with ongoing issues.
“I would expect the current MP to focus on what he has done and could do rather than trying to pass the blame on to me.
“My team spent a great deal of time meeting and discussing this matter and it is disappointing to hear the events being portrayed inaccurately.”
(Image of proposed Muller side, by Jonathan White)
I presume he was following the Tory Party line to Build more Homes.
All my childhood fields are being built on in Wistaston….at the rate these fields are being built on, Wistaston and Willaston will be part of Nantwich.
As long as the housing developers and local councils are making lots of money, who cares about fields / trees
The worst mp we have ever had and thats saying something after Edward Timpson. Unfortunately Kieran is a yes sir MP.
I,m not a Labour supporter but Mr Mullan flatters to deceive he says its the wrong decision when the horse has already bolted, he appears by far the worst Crewe & Nantwich M.P in a very long time.