Gypsy site decision deferred - Crewe

A FOURTEEN man planning committee will decide whether a Gypsy site will be built near Crewe after a vote to throw out the application failed.

Cheshire East has proposed build a 12-pitch site in the countryside off Parkers Road and Kent Lane, in Coppenhall, near Crewe.

At the full council meeting of Cheshire East Council on Thursday, February 24, councillors discussed the matter, which was witnessed by a packed audience of campaigners and concerned residents.

A motion was proposed by Crewe East ward member Clr David Newton to throw out the application.

He said he believed there were ‘serious questions about the suitability of the site’ and argued that the full council should make a decision rather than the council’s 14-member strategic planning board.

“The council should take it back and think of a more suitable site,” he added.

A vote was then held, with 22 councillors voting for it to be thrown out but 30 members decided to vote against the motion and send it to the strategic planning board.

23 councillors decided to ‘not vote’ but members of the strategic planning board were advised by the borough solicitor that they should ‘not vote’ as it could affect their decision at the committee.

Earlier in the meeting councillors heard from Glen Perris, chairman of Crewe Against Traveller Sites, who threatened the council with legal action if the council went ahead with the plans.

More than 7,000 residents have signed a petition against the plans with campaigners adding they believe the site is unsuitable because of its size and location, cultural differences and lack of school places.