Out in force to oppose plans for Moor Lane Gypsy site - Wilmslow

From Wilmslow.co.uk

Well over a hundred residents attended a meeting of the Wilmslow Town Council Planning Committee last night to voice their strong concerns regarding plans to build a Gypsy caravan site in Wilmslow.

Green Planning Solutions have submitted an application, on behalf of Mr John Allan, to build a Gypsy on Green Belt land to the north west of Moor Lane.

The submitted plans for the 0.46 hectare site, which show one proposed mobile home, one proposed touring caravan and a proposed utility/day room, were criticised for being unclear and many residents fear the intention is for many more caravans to occupy this site.

Denise Scragg, who attended last night's meeting said "The details of the planning application are very ambiguous and open to many interpretations. I think that more clarification and hard facts need to be supplied in order that those affected/ concerned about the application can make well informed comments."

Some residents stated that the narrow lane, which is already congested, is unsuitable for additional traffic and a couple raised concerns about the consultants who submitted the application. According to an article published in The Telegraph in 2009, Green Planning Solutions, headed up by a former Liberal Democratic planning spokesman, advises Gypsies on how to contest efforts to evict them off illegal sites.

Wilmslow Town Council will be recommending the application for refusal on the grounds that "This represents inappropriate development within the Green Belt and that no special circumstances have been demonstrated.

"We also express severe concerns as to the potential traffic increase and access problems on an already inappropriate road.

"The Town Council would also ask that Cheshire East Council undertake a full range of environmental surveys including those impacting on local wildlife.

"The ambiguity of the application is also a matter of serious concern to Wilmslow Town Council."

Speaking at a separate meeting, about the Draft Wilmslow Vision, last night, Cllr Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said "My view is no development in Green Belt, including the potential Gypsy site."

The planning application, reference 12/1144M, can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website. At the time of writing nearly 50 objections to this planning application had been submitted to Cheshire East Council.