Residents fear that the landscape between Alderley Edge and Wilmslow will change dramatically as developers hope to build houses and offices on Green Belt land between the Alderley Edge bypass and Wilmslow Road.
According to a letter sent by Lambert Smith Hampton, Barratt Developments are hoping to build a development of "low density, high class villa style houses" along with two HQ offices on a 92,000 ft site at the gateway to the village.
Peter Skelton, on behalf of Lambert Smith Hampton, said "Although the site does not have approval or allocation for commercial use the Local Authority are strongly supportive to investment and new development which would secure long term value and employment."
Lambert Smith Hampton have been instructed by the landowner to seek expressions of interest from companies who may be interested in occupying the office buildings.
The land being proposed for development by Barratt is opposite the Merlin, however Cllr Keegan is also concerned about the land to the right of this, leading up to Brook Lane, which he feels is potentially under threat because "the absence of a Local Plan is encouraging developers to have a pop."
Meanwhile in Wilmslow, WCE Properties, who are acting on behalf of the landowner, are promoting land off Welton Drive (to the West of the Alderley Edge Bypass) for housing development and have recently commissioned a number of surveys of the site - with the aim of proving that it is a suitable and sustainable location for a development of up to 100 houses.
Speaking about the land off Welton Drive, Cllr Frank Keegan said "In my opinion, it would be a disaster if such land were to be developed because the bypass would have - potentially - development on both left and right as you travel up the bypass from the roundabout. That signal would open up the whole length of the bypass and would be a disaster for the local amenity."
He added "AEPC are planning to meet Wilmslow Town Council to discuss the threats we are under, to which we can add land behind Beech Road. Coming down the bypass from the Wilmslow High School roundabout, any development behind Beech Road would be on the edge of the bypass. So you can see that the absence of a Local Plan is not doing us any favours."
This land at Welton Drive was included in the Wilmslow Vision consultation as a possible site for housing, but has not been put forward as a potential site within the Local Plan.
Cllr Rod Menlove commented "There is a potential planning matter in Wilmslow East with damaging implications. This one from WCE Properties, relating to land off Welton Drive, indicates intent for a major housing development.
"To my knowledge the current situation is that there have been no approaches to CE Planning, not even on a pre-app basis. I am in regular contact to be updated if this changes.
"The CEC Planning view I imagine would be against any development on the grounds that the land is in the Green Belt and not in the Local Plan nor among the 'non-preferred sites'. The councillors from CEC are against, as undoubtedly are Residents of Wilmslow, and such a development is against Wilmslow Town Council stated policy."
Cllr Menlove added "The Coppice Way appeal decision by the planning inspector does put us at a disadvantage compared with developers. However, that will not discourage us from fighting this every inch of the way."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
This village has already lost a lot to, mostly un-necessary, developments. Did we really need a few more houses instead of Alderley Motors which provided a vital service to '000s of customers ?
Do we need to lose an allotment for a car park ? Did we need to lose a beautiful old building with magificent views of the Edge (the Royal Oak pub) for a few more houses ?
If the greenfields between Wilmslow and Alderley Edge are lost, then we no longer have a village. So let's hear some sensible ideas of how best to stop the above. Is it all about the Local Plan being finalised ? I'm not sure it is. It would seem to be greedy developers trying-it-on, and challenging the council to refuse permission (which the council probably would do). But they key appears to be that they could successfully appeal this refusal if a Local 5-year Plan is not in place ? (that plan would specify exactly which areas have been freed for development... if not specified, then not available).
Someone correct me if I've misunderstood...
Sadly I feel that trying to stop developers who have the ear of the relevant authorities is as much use as trying to stop night changing to day. I'm not a conspiracy theorist in general but on this particular subject and having some very limited personal experience with the planning authorities, I'm afraid if fear that on this subject it is a done deal and has been decided before the matter is ever aired publicly.
Same with turning the allotments into a car park that won't be used - sadly I don't think we, the residents, really have any say in it in true terms...
If there was honestly something we could do to stop this I would add my name but it's happening all over the Country and it will happen here as well.
The houses are all the same up and down the Country, except of course for the 'villa type' which attract huge OTT price tags. No character to any of them, just very expensive boxes.
It really is quite depressing.