Last month we reported on the Finlow Farm development which has changed the iconic view from The Edge by introducing a tennis court and outbuilding, to what is probably the most recognised image of Alderley Edge.
Following my article I received confirmation from the Communications Department at Cheshire East Council that "There has been no permission given for any tennis court at this time and any application will be looked at on its own merit. The Council would look at its impact on the green belt."
Since the publication of our article we have had several enquiries from our readers, all of whom wanted to know what the council are going to do about the tennis court which has been built within the Green Belt and an area of County Value for Landscape, as designated by the Local Plan Proposals Map.
So I followed this up with Cheshire East and have received the following statement:
Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: "The Council is aware that a tennis court has been constructed at Finlows Bower Farm without the necessary permission.
"The matter is currently being further investigated by our Enforcement Control Officers and, if the current breach of planning control is not rectified, the Council will consider taking formal enforcement action to secure the removal of the unauthorised tennis court.
"Cheshire East Council is committed to ensuring any development that requires permission is carried out in accordance with statutory requirements and obtained legally."
Christopher Widger, Countryside Manager at the National Trust, said "Views from The Edge are one of the major reasons for visitors to come to Alderley Edge and the Trust's Property Management Plan promotes opportunities to create new viewing points as well as maintaining existing ones.
"The building has a very significant adverse impact upon the openness of the Green Belt, in particular from the Trust's, open access, land at Alderley Edge - for example, its significant intrusion into views from Stormy Point, probably the most regularly visited viewpoint on the property."
Unfortunately we are still awaiting a response from Cheshire East as to why the original farmhouse, which we understand was on the "List of Locally Important Buildings" was allowed to be demolished - when the list was meant to provide protection against demolition.
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Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “Finlows Bower Farm was included in the former Macclesfield Borough Council's List of Locally Important Buildings. Permission was granted for its demolition and construction of a replacement dwelling in 2006.
“Inclusion on this list does not afford a building complete protection from development. However, it does ensure that its listing is fully taken into account when a planning application is being determined.
“Cheshire East Council has adopted more thorough guidance on how to assess planning applications which affect buildings on the List of Locally Important Buildings.
“Local lists feature buildings and structures which the Council and its residents feel enhance both the street scene and sense of distinctiveness in that area.”