Willaston councillors say they have fought off a challenge to take over fields bordering their allotment site off Crewe Road.
It’s believed the challenge was related to a housing developer’s plan to build 220 houses, although this has not been confirmed.
An applicant wanted to take ownership of a field behind and to the side of the council allotments, which is part of the land purchased by Willaston Parish Council in 1925.
Cllr Wayne Salisbury, chair of Willaston Parish Council, said: “The land, used for both community and agricultural purposes, had been subject to an adverse possession application submitted by a third party, which the Parish Council opposed through its legal representatives.
“The application appeared closely connected to a proposed housing development on nearby land, as detailed in EIA Screening Application 25/0773/EIA by Redrow Homes NW, seeking permission for up to 220 dwellings on land at Crewe Road, Wistaston.
“The claim to council land would likely have facilitated site access or expansion in support of this development.
“In early March 2025, the council’s solicitor formally requested the applicant to withdraw their claim.
“We made clear we would not enter into negotiation and confirmed our readiness to defend the matter before a land tribunal if necessary.”
Since then, the council says it has been informed by the Land Registry that the adverse possession claim has been withdrawn.
Cllr Salisbury added: “The council acknowledges that this matter has consumed a significant amount of time and resources over recent months, and regretfully placed the Parish Council in the position of having to bear the cost of legal representation to safeguard Parish Council land.
“Willaston Parish Council remains committed to defending the parish from inappropriate or speculative development.
“It will always step up to protect local interests where proposed developments may bring significant impact to the parish and the surrounding area.”
The legal expenses to the council in fighting this are expected to be between £2,000 and £2,500.
Cllr Emma Angier added: “The land owned by Willaston Parish Council is the allotments together with the field behind to the hedgerow and down to the track that comes in from Crewe Road.
“This is the point where the disputed land was which is where the entrance to the proposed development is.
“We can only presume it was related and hope that it has had an impact on the planned development.”
The site was bought by the Parish Council in 1925 and has remained an asset for almost 100 years.
There around 100 allotment plots on the site which the council says is a “thriving community with local growers and gardeners tending a wide variety of plots”.
(aerial image courtesy of the parish council)
I am in Wistaston & would be really annoyed if some greedy? developers had wasted council money ,which costs X10 the developers should pay for their greed & time wasting & worry to allotment holders which are often areas of tranquility for people & wildlife.
Well done Willaston Parish Council. Before long this Labour run Council will decimate green spaces for housing, providing planning permission carte blanche, just to keep on track with the Government’s housing pledge.