Health experts say 'no' to Mill Lane housing plans

Environmental experts have lodged a formal objection to housing plans for Mill Lane over concern at possible contamination of fields earmarked for development.

Cheshire Council's own Environmental Health department is recommending refusal of outline plans to build up to 36 homes on open fields off the Mill Lane bridleway.

Environmental Health officer Sarah Allwood claims developers Hockenhull Properties Ltd have failed to provide full information on possible contaminants on the site.

The objection from the council's Contaminated Land team says the "applicant has not submitted any information with regard to contaminated land for this application area."

"The application is for new residential properties which are a sensitive end use and could be affected by any contamination present," says the report.

Cheshire health officials are particularly interested in a former sand pit at the centre of the site. AudlemOnline understands that the pit may have been used as a burial site for diseased cattle during the notorious foot and mouth outbreak in the late 1960s.

It is believed that a former sand quarry situated near The Mount house, then a working farm, was used to bury scores of cattle that were slaughtered to help contain the outbreak.

The report to Cheshire East adds: "As this is an outline application and we have not been provided with any information to demonstrate that the site is suitable for its proposed use and not constrained by contamination, this section objects to the application on those grounds."

The objection has prompted concern among protesters fighting the scheme who recently formed a Residents' Association to oppose the Mill Lane proposals.

Spokesman Steve Amies said today: "We would certainly be very concerned at any contamination problems with this area of land and would want this to be investigated fully before consideration is given to this or any other planning application."

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