2/11/22
I attended Crewe council chambers today to listen to attend the planning committee meeting, regarding the development of Woolston Avenue, Congleton. I wished to attend to see how the planning applications work. I wished to witness what protections are in place for local residents and nature. I wanted to see if it is all carried out democratically.
The development has been put forward by the husband of Cllr Sally Holland, a Conservative party councillor of CEC.
The request was to build x6 one bedroom units on a small area of land situated on Woolston Avenue on Bromley Farm.
I saw the planning process carried out in the council chamber. The planning officer explained all the pros to the development. It was stated that there is a shortage of one bedroomed units with in Congleton. He also explained that there was a large volume of residents that complained about the development.
The complaints included the fact that the development will have imposing windows with current properties, the area has a vast wealth of wildlife residing there, the area is prone to flooding at the current state of properties.
Congleton town council planning meeting voted on this and it was rejected. Yet this was not mentioned in this meeting at all. There were extensive questions of concern raised by Cllr Joy Bratherton who quite rightly pointed out the poor size of living room being 12ft only, as well as the developer stating he feels the flats would accommodate professionals. It was stated we could not possibly know this.
We then heard from Cllr Rob Moreton (deputy mayor of CTC, independent Cllr CEC) that represented the residents opposing the development. He explained the impact this has had on the local community. Residents that have lived there for several decades now wanting to sell up and move house. These people have been deeply upset by this. The wildlife they enjoy on their doorsteps will be gone, the access to green open space will be gone, the reality of staring at brickwork has hit them all.
We then heard an impact statement from Resident Diana. Diana gave an incredible speech in defence of her local green space. She has lived there for many years, encouraging the wildlife and helping it to thrive. She showed the photos of how it looks now, to how it will look. Everyone appeared to nod their head agreeing with Diana that they would prefer how it looks now.
Yet we then see how it plays out. The government legislation that is in place from central government, the Tories, all plays into the hands of developers.
It does not matter that an ecology report shows extensive wildlife living there, it doesn’t matter that many residents documented complaints and a petition has many signatures. This doesn’t matter but the developers do matter. This is the problem. Legislation is none existent to protect local residents and nature.
Even if TPO (tree protection orders exist) the tree officer can still give the go ahead to over rule. Even if endangered wildlife are proven to live there, it’s overlooked and the go ahead given.
The planning permission was approved. The facts are there is nothing to protect our green spaces, residents or wildlife. In my opinion, until we are rid of the Tory government how can any of this change. We all must remember how unified we are when it comes to protecting our green spaces, this is why we must be unified to removing the Tory government that does nothing to protect it.
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