Hiccup in Neighbourhood Plan process

AudlemOnline understands that Audlem's Neighbourhood Plan hit a slight stumbling block a few days ago.

The Independent Examiner, Liz Beth, decided that the vast number of legal arguments put forward by Gladman required someone with more planning law experience than she could provide.

She has now withdrawn from the lead role in favour of Tim Jones from No 5 Chambers, Birmingham, who has many years experience in this area. Liz will continue to assist Tim as she has experience, as a Parish Councillor in a rural environment, of drawing up Neighbourhood Plans and also acts as an Examiner.

It's said that Liz took this decision after the Congleton-based developer Gladman submitted no less than 100+ pages which we are told consist of 'cut and paste' arguments used elsewhere.

Those working on Audlem's Neighbourhood Plan feel, however, that our NP has to be very robust to counter the ongoing onslaught by developers, so the fact that the Plan is being reviewed by a lawyer will hopefully be to Audlem's benefit in the future and allow us to rebut any challenges.

No date has yet been announced for the receipt of the Examiner's report but it is hoped that it will be early in December.

Editorial comment:- It is clear that the arrogantly dismissive attitude adopted by the potential developers of the Moorsfield/Tollgate site shown at last Monday's Parish Council meeting towards the emerging Neighbourhood Plan is common to the other developers circling Audlem like hyenas.

We can only hope that Cheshire East, and ultimately the Government really believe in their statements about localism and provide the resources to stand up to this well-funded attack on local democracy.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.