Mill Lane campaign group formed

An Audlem campaign group has been set up to fight the Mill Lane housing proposals.

Organiser Steve Amies told a meeting of Audlem Parish Council that around 80% of people living in the Heathfield Road area had signed up to an ad-hoc Residents' Association.

He said a traffic survey of local roads was already under way and plans were in the pipeline for surveys of the local bat population and other wildlife in the area affected by the scheme.

Hockehull Properties Ltd wants outline planning consent for up to 36 homes on fields off the Mill Lane bridleway with access through Heathfield Road.

Mr Amies told the Parish Council he believed a Residents' Association would carry more weight in addressing Cheshire East Strategic Planning Board when the application is being considered next month.

And he questioned estimates of traffic levels and a wildlife assessment included in the Hockenhull planning application.

"We believe there are far greater numbers than have been suggested and a survey will help quantify these issues," he added.

The Parish Council is also to carry out its own survey of traffic levels posed by the proposed development.

Councilllor Geoff Seddon said: "We will be measuring the distances from the site entrance. We want a proper measure of the distances proposed residents of this site will have to travel."

Campaigners are certain to be concerned at news of the Gladman proposals going straight to appeal after Cheshire East failed to reach a decision on the planning application within the statutory 13 week period.

Cheshire East has until October 31 to determine the Mill Lane plans or these too will be 'out of time' and thus allow Hockenhull Properties to lodge an appeal on the grounds of 'non-determination'.

The Mill Lane plans were registered with Cheshire East on August 1st and are scheduled to go before the council's Strategic Planning Board on October 9th.

Campaigners will be concerned not to see the Hockenhull planning application moved to a date beyond October 31st.

More than 100 people have now registered their comments on the Cheshire East website after a weekend backlog was eventually processed.

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