'Moston Gypsy site will ruin our village' - Cheshire

From the Middlewich Guardian

A RESIDENTS’ group fears that plans to transform farmland in Moston into a Gypsy site will ruin the village’s rural identity.

Action Moston, whose aim is to preserve the area’s character and community, has been opposing a spate of planning applications for Thimswarra Farm since 2009.

Cheshire East Council’s southern planning committee is due to make a decision on two gipsy site proposals for the 11 acre field on November 21.

But David Wright, chairman of Action Moston, said: “Developments on this field have repeatedly been ruled as unsustainable being too far from health, educational and proper shopping facilities with no public transport or street lighting and no walkways on country lanes.”

Plans for one family to live on the greenfield site - bordering Dragons Lane and Plant Lane - were approved by appeal in September.

This has prompted Gypsy site applications that were previously refused to be resubmitted saying there has been a change in circumstances.

One application to be determined on November 21 is for eight caravans, four brick buildings, parking and hardstanding as well as refuse and sewage disposal points and water and electricity provision.

Mr Wright added: “This proposed development has already been refused. It is the size of a small housing estate, will desecrate a piece of agricultural land and is totally inappropriate and unsuitable in the open countryside.”

A further application for four caravans, hardstanding and parking areas will also be considered by councillors on the same day.

Action Moston, which has more than 60 members, argues that the council’s original decision should stand and the farmland should not be used to ‘meet targets’.

Mr Wright said: “Moston residents are very critical of Cheshire East Council planning department.

“It has failed to provide a plan to meet targets for Gypsy and Traveller provision and this is being used to override all other considerations of suitability, sustainability and use of the open countryside.”

Meanwhile, Cheshire East Council’s leader says that he is committed to finding suitable sites for Gypsies and Travellers.

The authority is working with partners in Cheshire West and Warrington to commission a new accomodation assessment for the community.

Clr Michael Jones said: “It must be the right site with the right facilities so that this community can live in harmony.

“We have recently consulted our residents on the Local Plan, which identifies sites for sustainable growth over the next two decades.

“However, there does seem to be a lack of public confidence about where the right sites are.

“We would like to reassure residents that we are committed to getting this right first time round.

“There is discussion on several sites ongoing and we are hopeful that applications will be bought forward early next year.”