Alarm at floodlit games idea for Mill Lane

A suggestion that open space on the Mill Lane development should contain a floodlit multi-games area has rung alarm bells.

The national Lottery funded charity Greenspace was listed as a consultee on plans to build up to 36 homes on field off the Mill Lane bridleway in Audlem,

Cheshire East Council wrote to Greenspace on August 8th for its observations on the proposals enclosing copies of the plans and documentation.

In an email to the council's planning department Chris Lawton, for Greenspace, replied: "As there is already an equipped children's play area in Audlem, I would like to see a multi use games area on the open space within the development. This needs to be floodlit."

No plan for any multi-use games area is suggested in the outline application by Hockenhull Properties Ltd but there is an outline proposal for a 12-space car park to promote access to the part of the site that would be open to public use.

But the suggestion of floodlit games on the site has prompted concern among opponents of the scheme. One Mill Lane resident described the proposal as "wholly inappropriate".

In an email to planning officers she added: "I have only just seen Chris Lawton's suggestion that if the application were to be approved, the site should include a floodlit Multi-Use Games Area! I am astonished at this suggestion. It would be wholly inappropriate in what is a rural location."

If any multi-games area was needed in Audlem it should be located off the village playing field and far enough away from houses to not create nuisance, planners were told.

The last day for posting objections to the scheme is next Wednesday, September 4th. You can view the plans and add your comments on planning application 13/3210N here.

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