Audlem Parish Council meeting !8/08/2026

Editor: the below should not be read as official minutes from the APC, but notes from our reporter who attended the meeting for which we are grateful.

The meeting was opened by the chairman, Carl Dovey. As there were a large number of parishioners present he explained the format the meeting would take.

In the public session questions were invited from members of the public. The main topic amongst those present were the activities taking place at the old grammar school. Issues were raised regarding the lack of planning permission, removal of the hedge and trees, health and safety, the status of the workers on the site, the intended use of the buildings, the temporary stop notice, what were the APC and CE doing about it.

The Councillors present and Rachel Bailey assured the audience that all relevant partners, authorities , CE departments and the local MP were being consulted and kept abreast of developments at the site. It was now a legal process, which would not be a quick fix. A meeting had been arranged with the developer which he failed to attend, efforts to re-arranged had been unsuccessful so far.

It was requested that if any parishioners had any pictures/evidence of any activity which they believed to be of concern they should email the APC (contact details are on their website), in order that the APC can submit a consolidated report to CE. The public session was halted after some 40 minutes of discussion.

The meeting agenda was then resumed. Other planning matters were discussed, including the planning application for 112 dwellings on land off Audlem Road (adjacent to the Anwyl estate). The Councillors were unanimous in their discussion that the APC should object to the application. A full report would be complied and presented at the next meeting in September, the content reviewed and agreed and submitted to CE Planning Dept before the extended deadline which they have been granted.

A short discussion took place around the reporting of APC matters and how best to use their website, Facebook page. However, a new policy for this is being written , which should be ready for the next meeting, so the item was deferred till then.

Discussion took place regarding the proposed dipping platform on Turnpike Field. The original order had been cancelled as it was not fit for purpose, a refund would be forthcoming. New quotes had been obtained and considered. It was mentioned that a grant may be available.

A number of payments were approved, which included the repair to the monument on The Square, which should be re-installed early in September.