Hands raised in protest at Mill Lane housing plans

Audlem residents rejected proposals for a new housing estate on Mill Lane with an almost unanimous show of hands last night.

More than 100 packed Audlem Public Hall to express their views on outline plans to build up to 36 homes on the green field site at the invitation of Audlem Parish Council.

Transport overload on narrow local roads and the flood risk posed for Audlem Brook were the main issues raised at the meeting.

But the effect on local wildlife and the impact on the village medical practice were high on the agenda as residents took the floor in turn to spell out their opposition to the scheme.

Parish councillors have made a careful study of documents submitted by Hockenhull Properties Ltd to gain outline planning consent for new homes on fields off the Mill Lane bridleway.

Councillor Geoff Seddon told the meeting he contested evidence supplied by consultants for Hockenhull Properties that the traffic impact on Heathfield Road and Hillary Drive would not be problematic.

He added: "They have based their finding on data that is not relevant to Audlem at all. All the information they give on the transport impact for Audlem is totally invalid."

Councillor Heather Jones also found fault with consultant's data on the flood risk posed to neighbouring properties.

"How they are going to get rid of surface water is unclear," she said. "New developments should aim to reduce rather than add to surface water run off and this will not be the case here."

In the absence of reliable data from United Utilities on water levels in the area she encouraged residents to submit local evidence of field and brook flooding .

Dr Nancy Verso restated the problems faced by Audlem Medical Practice by this plan alongside the Gladman proposals to build up to 120 homes at Little Heath.

"We have seen our patient numbers grow to around 4,500 in recent years," she warned. "And although this application is relatively small it could, with the Gladman plans, add another 500 patients and we could not cope. We would be forced to close our books."

Several residents voiced concern at the effects on wildlife with a large number of trees destroyed to make way for new housing.

Bats, badgers and birds were all at risk from the destruction of wildlife habitat, the meeting was warned.

Audlem Parish Council meets on September 2nd to formulate its response to the proposals but there is little likelihood of them supporting the scheme given the level of opposition displayed at the public meeting.

Parish chairman Phillip Johnson said they had received a protest petition of more than 100 names and, given the show of hands at the meeting, the mood of the village was clear.

He emphasised that information used in formulating the Parish Council's opposition to the Gladman housing proposals could also be used to good effect in the council's submission on the Hockenhull scheme.

But he told the meeting: "It is also vital that people document their individual opposition to these proposals with Cheshire East before September 4th."

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