Plans for 8 houses on land left to RSPCA by a wild life enthusiast

Deanbank Investments Ltd, part of the Emerson Group, have submitted plans to build 8 dwellings ona plot of vacant land off Heyes Lane, which was left to the RSPCA by a wild life enthusiast.

David Brown, of 83 Heyes Lane, died in 2007 leaving his house and land to the charity. He wanted the land to be left for wildlife and specifically requested that it was not sold for building but the RSPCA put the land and property up for sale. In total fifteen bids were received, they accepted the highest offer from Deanbank Investments Ltdand the sale of the land was completed in August 2011.

Speaking about the sale, A spokesperson from the RSPCA told alderleyedge.com in April 2012 "We are incredibly grateful to Mr Brown for his generous bequest. The funds raised from the sale of his house were put towards the upkeep of cats as he requested.

"Mr Brown wished us in the legacy not to sell the land for building though this wasn't a binding condition of the will. However it is extremely regrettable that we were then not able to use the land in accordance with Mr Brown's wishes.

"We considered other options including using it for local RSPCA branches. At the time of Mr Brown's death in 2007, the plot (0.40 acres) was not viable for use by the RSPCA, especially as there was a moratorium on any planning consents except for housing association schemes or a nursing home.

"This moratorium was due to be in place until 2012, but was then lifted in 2008. At this point it became apparent that the value of land could decrease which would mean less money being available for animals under RSPCA care. So the then Chief Executive decided to proceed with the marketing of the property and the land."

The spokesperson added "The RSPCA has used the money from the sale of the land for its animals at the nearest wildlife rescue centre, Stapeley Grange as well as some other RSPCA centres."

Deanbank Investments have recently applied to build a row of 8 three-bedroomed terraced houses with 25 car parking spaces on the site which is constrained on three sides by existing dwellings.

The supporting documentation states "The proposed layout orientates the dwellings to face away from the neighbouring properties and make best use of the open views. A line of high level vegetation will be set along the North West boundary to maintain privacy to the large rear gardens of Oakfield Close. The orientation of the dwellings creates privacy within the rear gardens and exposes them to afternoon and evening sun."

Access to the development will be off Heyes Lane and an informal shared surface for access, parking and landscaping will be created by removing features such as kerbs, road surface markings and signage to minimise the segregation between modes of road user.

Alderley Edge Parish Council will consider this application at their Planning Committee meeting which will take place after their monthly meeting, which will take place from 7.30pm in the Festival Hall on Monday, 10th September.

The plans can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning reference 18/4255M. The last date for submitting comments is October 4th and a decision is expected by 21st November.

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Planning Applications
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Jon Williams
Sunday 9th September 2018 at 1:31 pm
Well, they fit in well with the other red brick houses don't they -NOT !
Far too many cars parked on the road in that area and this will only make maters worse.
Nick Hall
Sunday 9th September 2018 at 3:07 pm
Let this be a lesson for anyone who trusts the RSPCA with anything in their will. Never leave anything to a charity, especially the RSPCA. Your relatives will be trampled in the rush for the money and the RSPCA won't care what you left the money or property for, they will convert it to cash at the first opportunity. The top people earn 6 figure salaries. Last chief executive given a £200,000 handshake because he claimed to have been overlooked for being too old. Talk to your relatives and friends and make sure they change their wills. The only way to force the RSPCA to do what it is supposed to is to starve it of funds until the greedy top people are gone.
Suzanne Gorringe
Sunday 9th September 2018 at 4:08 pm
These plans look so out of place next to the old Victorian cottages. It, yet again, smacks of making money to the detriment of the village. It’s so congested there as it stands.
Helen Gaughan
Sunday 9th September 2018 at 6:33 pm
Agreed Jon . Potentially more traffic on an already busy road . What about the privacy of the residents in Oakfield Road and Close , indeed of those residents on Heyes Lane ?? Moreover ..... Mr Brown bequeathed the land to the RSPCA . I'm really saddened that his wishes have been over-looked by a charity he placed his trust in to keep this patch of land as a green space where wildlife could flourish .....
David Hadfield
Sunday 9th September 2018 at 6:58 pm
Don't you just love this bit ;

David Brown, of 83 Heyes Lane, died in 2007 leaving his house and land to the charity.
He wanted the land to be left for wildlife and specifically requested that it was not sold for building ......…… but the RSPCA put the land and property up for sale.

What part of "Specifically Requested" do the RSPCA not understand ?
George Marshall
Sunday 9th September 2018 at 7:53 pm
Very "Scandi" looking. Not the biggest fan must admit, and the fact the land wasn't left to the RSPCA is regrettable. But then, houses have to be build somewhere, and they aren't on greenbelt or anything.

They don't look enormous so they won't be uber expensive, but neither very affordable. Suppose you can't have everything.
Helen Gaughan
Sunday 9th September 2018 at 11:19 pm
Indeed David . Why , if you've made specific requests in your Last Will and Testament should those wishes not be met ?? This is utterly appalling but Mr Big Buck Jones will probably have his way . I sincerely hope that Mr Brown's family may be in a suitable position to contest this proposal ... Shame on the RSPCA for not honouring Mr Brown's wish
Jane Grantham
Monday 10th September 2018 at 6:20 am
They are 3 storeys high George, with glass rear aspects overlooking houses & gardens - leaving little or no privacy ..
David Carey
Monday 10th September 2018 at 9:42 am
Yes the RSPCA are just interested in the money and not what David Brown actually wanted so massive shame on them for being greedy. As for the design, size and number of houses, what bit of this fits into the overall look of the surrounding area and village. I would like to see Cheshire East planning answer that simple question. Yet again money talks and who is to blame no suprise there....
Alan Brough
Monday 10th September 2018 at 2:34 pm
David was a sensitive and gentle man and I'm pretty sure that he would be horrified to think that, his wishes and legacy had been handled in this way.

Shame on the RSPCA for interpreting David's wishes solely in financial terms and for not having the gumption to recognise his overriding desire.
Pete Taylor
Monday 10th September 2018 at 6:33 pm
That’s me finished with the RSPCA.
Any personal comment from Peter Jones?

Eye of a needle.
Michael Orange
Monday 10th September 2018 at 7:23 pm
Is the problem not that the RSPCA is not a wildlife trust and has no real means of using the bequest in the way that the donor imagined? He would have done better to have left it to an appropriate organisation which may have been able to maintain it as a wild space. This is an unfortunate outcome, but I cannot see how a better one could be achieved. Possibly the RSPCA should have declined the bequest if it was to be a liability and they could not fulfil the conditions. However, the bequest would have then to revert to the estate of the deceased.
Stuart Gallaway
Monday 10th September 2018 at 7:59 pm
It's ironical to note that on this site's home page there is a tweet/advert from Orbit Developments that includes the statement that "Alderley Edge... the variety of restaurants, bars & shops combined with the green space is perfect for striking that all important work/life balance" and here they are, applying to build on green space that is part of this area's work/life balance! There seems to be a bit of a double standard here! Very soon, if all these building firms have their way, there will be no green space left in and around Alderley Edge at all. It's time that Cheshire East looked outside the box, rather than putting a tick in it, and properly weigh up the effects that a development like this will have on the area's community, both short term and long term.
Mark Duffy
Monday 10th September 2018 at 8:58 pm
Friday 27th April 2012. Earlier threads to read -

https://bit.ly/2oYPMmg
https://bit.ly/2N7lfkQ
Stuart Gallaway
Tuesday 11th September 2018 at 7:57 am
The local Parish Council Meeting last night (10th Sept) was very well attended by local residents who are against this proposal, in fact there was no seating room left. Views were aired and much discussion took place.
I would like to reiterate the fact that, even if you have signed a petition against proposal, petitions will only show on the portal as one objection - therefore you need to get on to this link and register your individual views on the subject.

https://bit.ly/2CGIU76

It is very easy but, if you do have issues with computers etc get someone to help you or do it with you. There are plenty of people who will assist if you need help. Remember that boundary and ownership issues do not constitute grounds for a building objection at this stage. However, loss of privacy, loss of light, overbearing design, too high a density of building on the site, out of character design, loss of amenity, poor access amongst others do count as valid objections.
Jane Grantham
Tuesday 11th September 2018 at 2:42 pm
Those are very interesting threads to read Mark - with a lot of food for thought
Pete Taylor
Tuesday 11th September 2018 at 5:18 pm
@ Jane, well said. There is still time for a long-term resident of Woodbrook Road to do the right thing.
After all; the crowd, Frankly, has been mumbling for a number of years.
Stephen Maynard
Tuesday 11th September 2018 at 7:06 pm
Personally I think its shameful that the RSPCA have behave in this way - they could have simply planted trees on it to encourage wildlife - as for Jones they clearly have no interest but exploiting an opportunity in their continued greed to develop land to either make into offices that either remain unused due to the high rents (look at Wilmslow ) or houses that simply don't blend in with the surroundings which they know full well will be controversial - a total disgrace all round - I bet David would be outraged if he knew how is generosity is being exploited especially by a Charity that is supposed to protect animals and wildlife instead of destroying their natural habitat
Eric Rowland
Tuesday 11th September 2018 at 9:11 pm
In his will, David Brown apparently stated that it was his wish that the RSPCA should preserve the area as a wild-life site. Had he, instead, made preservation a condition of the bequest, the charity would have been unable to sell the land for building purposes. Very sad.
Harry Martin
Tuesday 11th September 2018 at 9:57 pm
Wonder whether he had any family . A will is a will and it is a shame this has happened . I will no longer support this ' charity ' .
Graham McLelland
Wednesday 12th September 2018 at 7:43 am
Why 3 stories not 2?? intrusion of privacy for all near residents
Duncan Herald
Friday 14th September 2018 at 11:04 am
People want to live in Alderley Edge.
I did back in 1986. Bought a ruin and did-it-up.
To live here they need houses; so houses will get built.
Eventually Alderley Edge will get truly full; Nether Alderley next ?
That's the way it happens I guess. A sort of 'evolution'?
We can 'fiddle' with design, height, number of garages, ask for new schools, enlarge roads etc. etc. but, like it or not, 'evolution' will happen ?
Is there a viable alternative?
p.s. no I don't like what the RSPCA did; but is that Nimbyism on my part?
Tony Haluradivth
Thursday 4th October 2018 at 8:15 am
And today in the post we received (as I guess did all other villagers) a marketing leaflet by David Wilson Homes for a proposed site on Wilmslow road as though full planning had been granted. It was a clever ruse to make the leaflet look as though it was officially endorsed by Cheshire East Council. Greedy, arrogant and opportunistic David Wilson Homes. I urge everyone else who feels thus piqued to seal it up again and return it to David Wilson Homes with no stamp. (They then have to pay £1.50 for each letter received this way).

If that leaflet from David Wilson Homes was a marketing brochure and anyone us tempted to reserve a plot ....a very quick trawl of the internet reveals this
https://bit.ly/2ygDdXO
Jon Williams
Thursday 4th October 2018 at 9:39 am
Yes, got ours yesterday - very arrogant
Tony Haluradivth
Thursday 4th October 2018 at 10:42 am
Yes and if you call the Warrington office they deny all knowledge on the pre marketing "marketing". This looks very suspicious to me and their reviews are pretty appalling. I wonder who is sanctioning this and why do I get a bad feeling that Alderley Edge is about to be stitched up by the appalling council.