Local plan scoping consultation

My concern as a resident of Hale relates mostly to the proposed residential developments put forward by the Tatton Estate (“TE”) and, in particular, its proposed developments around Ashley, Rostherne and Mobberley.

I would make the following points:

1. Uncertainty about the size of the development. The latest figures on your website seem to state that TE have put forward 169.15 hectares of land around Ashley. 41 hectares of this land is shown as a development of 1,100 homes with the two additional adjacent parcels of 50.9 and 73.62 hectares highlighted as the “wider vision.”
In addition TE have also offered :

Land in Millington 12.07 hectares
Land in Rostherne 8.55 hectares
Land in Mobberley 68.74 hectares
Land at Lymm roundabout for employment and economy 68.12 hectares.

Overall the land TE have offered at an estimated density of 30 houses per hectare would result in development of 7,710 houses. This is a colossal development on what is current prime Greenbelt land which should be protected from development. The land only has narrow rural roads through it and is totally unsuited for such development.

2. Heritage Aspects. All of the land TE are putting forward forms part of the historic Tatton Park Estate. They acquired it in 1958 after the death of Maurice Egerton, the last of the Egerton Earls. He left Tatton Hall and Park to the National Trust but the remaining 5,000 acres of his Estate which forms a ring around Tatton Park was acquired by the Grandfather of the current owner of TE. It thus forms part of an historic estate which deserves protection.

3. Greenbelt issues. As detailed above, the land involved is prime Green Belt. I am aware that the Government has recently unwisely changed the planning laws concerning Greenbelt land which has a railway station near it with 4 trains per hour running into an urban centre from it. Whilst Ashley has a small station, it only has one train an hour running into Manchester on a long detour via Stockport. This means the recent rule change should not cover TE’s land. It should also be pointed out that the Ashley trains running into Manchester all pass through the level crossing in the centre of Hale. With the additional freight trains using the line at present, the level crossing is frequently shut and it couldn’t cope with any additional trains. Similar considerations apply to Mobberley which is on the same line. The present Greenbelt at Ashley provides a gap between the urban areas of Trafford and other towns such as Knutsford which must not be lost.

4. Infrastrucute. There is a complete lack of infrastructure in the area owned by TE and that offered for development. Given the location of the proposed massive developments at Ashley, Rostherne and Mobberley, their proposed residents would look to Trafford for all their requirements in the fields of education, health and other required services. There simply isn’t the capacity in Trafford for such a number of new residents and there aren’t the roads for new residents in Ashley to reach Trafford. Villages such as Hale and Bowdon in Trafford would be overwhelmed.

I ask the Cheshire East Council to take all the above issues into account when considering new development and only give permission to development which is of a scale suitable and sustainable for the future.