Hack Green plans concern

Campaigners have urged residents to support their fight against turning a former RAF camp near Nantwich into a large-scale site for travelling showpeople, after it was re-classified as a major development.

The bid to turn the Hack Green site off Coole Lane into nine yards for 10 families to live, and store and maintain their equipment, has been met with fierce opposition from the immediate neighbours and many further afield, who believe the number of residents living on the site would dwarf the exiting community of just 60 residents.

Nearly 2,000 people have signed a petition against the proposals, while scores of objection letters have already been submitted.

The camp became disused in the early 1970s and is home to an array of wildlife, trees, flora and fauna. The applicant is seeking to destroy much of this to house what campaigners fear would become an industrial estate on their doorsteps, equivalent to the size of Nantwich town centre (as pictured).

The hearing was due to take place last month but has now been put back to September 24. Its re-classification provides an opportunity for further letters of objection or support to be lodged.

Campaigner Reuben Davies said: "We have been encouraged by the support shown by the local community who, like us, recognise the totally unsuitable nature of this proposal and we would urge anyone who hasn't already done so to write a letter to the council.

"It is telling that in a number of areas the applicant has made either inaccurate, misleading or absent statements about the site. For example, the Highways department has requested further information, as the applicant has made no mention of the inevitable heavy goods traffic this development would bring, which is totally unsuitable and unsustainable for, not just Coole Lane, but Nantwich as a whole.

"We have looked at this application in great detail since it was submitted and believe we have an extremely strong case for refusal, in particular the applicant's inability to demonstrate there is a need for this type of site in South Cheshire."

There have been three applications of a similar nature previously thrown out, and two refusals on appeal – the most recent being in 2006.

The new deadline for comment submissions is September 10th. A decision is due at the Southern Planning Committee meeting on September 24th, which is open to the public to attend. Anyone wishing to comment can find the planning application 14/2714N on the Cheshire East Council website.

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