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Peggy Bentham and Mary Grindey
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Newt you can do here
23/ 4/2008
NEWTS, bats, floods and an ancient cottage were among a vast catalogue of concerns voiced at the latest protest meeting against a controversial housing development on Birtles Road.
Nearly 100 residents packed into Macclesfield Leisure Centre on Friday, April 18, in opposition to plans to build 42 ‘affordable’ homes on spare land they claim is an ecological wonderland.
They revealed a vast array of concerns about the Jones Homes development on land until now owned by Macclesfield Borough Council – with traffic topping the list.
Support from conservation groups such as English Heritage and the Forestry Commission is already being sought and an ecology report prepared.
Objectors, dozens of whom have written letters of objection to the council and Jones Homes, say the land is home to protected barn owls, badgers, bats and newts, as well as 45 species of bird and an orchard of ancient trees.
They also want an old house on the site – believed to date back at least four centuries – to be given listed status. MBC has also so far refused to confirm how much they are set to sell the land for but it is thought to be in the region of £430,000, which residents insist is vastly underpriced.
Outline planning permission has already been granted for the site but two new applications – for the 42 homes and the adaption of a layby – are yet to be considered.
Peggy Bentham, a member of the Birtles Conservation Forum, which called the meeting, told objectors: "It’s so rare to have a site with this many protected species on it. It is unique and should be preserved.
"(This development) is unbelievable and inconceivable." Another objector said: "This is the thin edge of the wedge. It is just the foot in the door for more and more housing developments.Why on earth does the council think this is a good idea? Forty-two homes on that site is just potty."
Councillor John Narraway, who sits on the planning committee, said: "The land hasn’t been sold yet. The number of houses will determine the price."
Other concerns included a lack of ambulance access, flooding of Birtles Road cellars and poor water pressure being worsened.
An MBC spokesman said: "An ecological report on the site has been produced for Jones Homes, and English Heritage is due to inspect the cottage to give a view as to whether it should be listed." Jones Homes refused to comment.
Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
Robber barons? It's certainly beginning to look that way. Besides, house prices are falling to less ridiculous levels anyway. Soon some existing housing will become "affordable".
30/04/2008 at 12:45
Got an opinion you want to share?Motorists - are rising fuel prices tempting you to use public transport more?
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