Councillor weighs in against Mill Lane scheme

An Audlem Parish Councillor has warned of flood danger at Salford in a two page personal objection to proposal to build up to 36 homes at Mill Lane

It comes in the wake of a formal objection to the Hockenhull Properties' proposals from Audlem Parish Council and concern from the Environment Agency at potential flooding problems.

Parish councillor Dave Siddorns is one of the parish councillors who have so far added their personal weight to those fighting the Mill Lane scheme.

Councillor Siddorns warns of a significant impact on householders in Salford Road and School Lane if the Mill Lane plans get approval.

He says: "The volumes of runoff water from this proposed development and the reduction of natural drainage by diminution of the green fields, the brook that runs through Salford and along School Lane will have the potential for increased bank overflow resulting in flooding of adjoining properties. This is a very serious issue and has to be taken fully into account."

And he forecasts similar problems with sewage disposal if the Mill Lane plans get the green light from Cheshire East.

"The potential for increased flooding ... also raises questions regarding the sewage systems within the area and the potential for raw sewage escaping from an already overloaded system to pollute the surrounding area and the brook at Salford so spreading the potential contamination of significant stretches of the waterway and surrounding fields."

It is not only householders that will suffer, warns the councillor, but wildlife too could face serious consequences as "any sewage pollution will have potential devastating effects on the wild life that relies on the clean water of the brook and unpolluted surrounding fields as habitat."

The official date for submitting comments online has now passed – although Cheshire East has said they will continue to accept submissions up until the application is heard by email and post – the Mill Lane plan is set to be heard by the Strategic Planning Board on October 9th with a decision target date of October 31st.

Audlem residents will be concerned that the committee hearing is not put back, as was the Gladman application, and allow Hockenhull Properties to go straight to appeal for non determination.

Cheshire East has 13 weeks to determine the case from the date it was first registered on August 1st which gives the council to the end of the first week in November to rule on the proposal.

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