Public inquiry into Longridge 225-home scheme starts next month

The inquiry, which relates to land east of Longridge, is expected to last six days and will take place at Macclesfield Town Hall over a two-week period starting on Tuesday, November 12.

It is being held because Dewscope appealed against Cheshire East’s decision in December to refuse permission for the scheme.

Objectors to the development are urging members of the public to attend.

Campaigner Debbie Jamison, of Knutsford Residents Over Ward (KROW), said: "Any attendance in person would be appreciated by the parties opposing this application to put a new road through the playing field and destroy the Local Wildlife site (LWS)."

Proposed development site at Longridge (Image: Supplied) The application, which includes 30 per cent affordable housing, had been recommended for approval by Cheshire East Council’s planning officers.

But the strategic planning board unanimously voted to refuse it at December’s meeting, even though most of the site is allocated for development in the local plan.

A major bone of contention is access to the site.

A covenant prevents building on a strip of land needed for access, which means access can only be obtained by intruding into the green belt.

This means, unless the covenant is discharged, anyone wanting to build on the site will have to plough through the playing fields, which are owned by Cheshire East Council.

Objectors say this is unacceptable and the playing fields are a community asset and not surplus to requirement.

Councillors refused the scheme at the end of last year on the grounds it would represent inappropriate development in the green belt as a result of the impact of the access arrangements upon its openness, also resulting in encroachment, and it would have adverse impact on ecology and the LWS.

The planning board also said the proposal would fail to deliver an effective integrated scheme due to the lack of visual and physical connections and accessibility with the existing development on Longridge.

Documents relating to the appeal can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council’s website. The application number is 21/3100M.

The public inquiry starts at 10am on November 12.