The BBC North West Tonight programme filmed today  (Monday 27 Oct 15) at Astbury Mere and Jenny, speaking on behalf of Protect Congleton, was invited to give her views on how Congleton is being affected by planning decisions. Obviously this will be edited but we hope that some useful footage will make it onto the programme.

As you may have heard, the Tall Ash decision was deferred as premature. Derek Townsend, Glen Williams and Anna Morrison all spoke at the meeting against the development. We are astonished at the poor quality of the work done by the Strategic Highways and Planning Department, who seemed to be recommending permission in the hope that this would realise funding for the link-road. It is particularly annoying that they seem to have recognised that this development would exacerbate poor traffic conditions on Buxton Road and Mountbatten Way but they didn’t seem to feel that they should check the facts or do anything about this. 

There is still no news on the Seddons’ Appeal.

Responses have started to come from developers and communities to the proposed changes to the Local Plan. There are some startling proposals, including the idea that Congleton should be stuck with even more housing and that we don’t need the link-road because the A34 can accommodate additional traffic.

 The second reading of the Housing and Planning Bill takes place in the House of Commons next Monday. It’s a mixed bag which will reduce planning control in some areas but part of which will force councils to stop sitting on brownfield sites. It is also the legislation that will allow Government to take over planning control where local councils don’t have Local Plan in place.

The Neighbourhood Plan should be coming out for another phase of consultation shortly. We urge everyone in Congleton to respond to this. We will let you know the date as soon as we know it.

Nick Light
Jenny Unsworth

27 October 2015