ADAS lodges formal objection to Gladman

A community charity has added its opposition to controversial plans for a new housing estate in Audlem.

ADAS (Audlem District Amenities Society), now in its 44th year, is to formally oppose a bid by Gladman Developments for planning consent to build 120 homes in the village.

Chairman Ralph Wharburton says in a letter to Cheshire East Council: "We consider that the proposed development is unsustainable in what is at present a well-balanced community. We believe its implementation would be of great detriment to this attractive village in terms of considerable future problems which, bearing in mind the expressed wishes of the vast majority of residents, the developers would leave behind, with no responsibility on their part."

Mr Warburton points to Audlem's Village Design Statement which shows Audlem residents against large scale development in the village, a position that was adopted as long ago as 1976 in the Audlem Village Plan.

He adds: "It seems clear that this community is opposed to large scale speculative developments knowing the limitations of the village, particularly traffic congestion, limited car parking etc."

And he warns that the increase of 120 homes in the Gladman plan would swallow up in excess of 20 years housing allocation for the village "at one fell swoop".

He adds: "The expansion of the village population by at least 10% which would follow the development proposed would not only exacerbate parking problems but would lead to many more such as sewerage, capacity of the medical practice, absence of employment etc."

He said ADAS' view was that small scale affordable housing, even on agricultural land outside the settlement boundary, would be acceptable if it were "designed to a scale in keeping with the existing character of the village."

The letter added: "We therefore trust that this and any similar future large scale housing estates will be rejected in principle by Cheshire East Council for the benefit of our village which we believe should be planned to evolve more incrementally to respect its size, character and location."

ADAS was formed in 1969 and now has some 500 or more members who pay an annual membership fee. The registered charity is dedicated to stimulating interest in, and care for, the beauty, history and character of Audlem, Buerton, Coxbank and Lightwood Green; to ensure high standards of planning and architecture and the intelligent use of land; to encourage the preservation, development and improvement of features of general public amenity in its area and to provide plants, shrubs and displays in and around the district's public areas.

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