Angry residents called for plans to build 60 homes on land at the old bible college in Nantwich to be thrown out.
They fear the development at Regents Park, between London Road and Crewe Road, will see the loss of over 100 trees.
They also raised concerns of visibility from a planned access road onto the busy 40mph-limit Crewe Road.
Stewart Milne Homes has applied to demolish the existing student accommodation at the site, including an old sports hall, and build a mix of housing.
But residents say natural screening could be lost if around 100 mature trees are chopped down to make way for the development.
Jeff Dowling, of Regents Gate which backs onto the site, said: “We are concerned this development is planning for quite substantial removal of these trees.
“This fundamentally changes the environment next door to my property, and other residents would be affected. This is a precious piece of urban parkland.”
Fellow resident Bob Humphreys, a chartered engineer who specialises in highways design, criticised the plans for the access route to the development.
“I must raise concerns about the visibility and lengths where the access road would meet Crewe Road.
“I have to say the submitted plans are an absolute joke because of the substandard nature of the access road that is being provided to this site.”
Residents urged Nantwich Town Council to call for a temporary Tree Preservation Order to protect the parkland to allow more time for consultation on the plans.
Councillors agreed to write to Cheshire East Council raising concerns of loss of trees, lack of access road visibility and issues of drainage.
The proposals are likely to go before a Cheshire East Strategic Planning Board in February or March.
What a load of hypocrites. I bet that if the site was still being used as St Josephs, a home for children, the local residents would be welcoming houses being built on the site!!!
Actually there was no trouble from St Joseph’s when the Brothers were in charge. The boys had to keep the gardens in good condition and they were quite polite. We helped them put on musical shows once a year and we could use the swimming baths in return. Not saying they were angels, but I’m sure there will be more disruption from our new neighbours!!
got to agree with you Debbie,i was one of those kids who lived
at st joseph’s in the 80’s,
It is the loss of habitat for numerous birds and wildlife that is bothering me. We keep hearing about the decline in urban garden bird numbers, surely a more sympathetic approach to removing trees and bushes is required
I mowed the acre of beautiful lawns there 2 years ago with a ride-on mower. What wonderful species of trees planted there 20-30 plus years ago. Can’t reaseheath college do something with the grounds ? I have many photos of the different species of the trees its like a mini arboretum. As a gardener & landscaper i cannot see how even a developer would destroy such surroundings. Are their any tpo’s or preservation orders on the site .? it has such a peacefulness about it a outline no where I’ve been. Almost sacred …. Let me know if I can support any action to keep those trees.
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Thanks for your comments, but from previous developments in Nantwich, it is obvious the power of a TPO is powerless against a JCB or chainsaw!!!!
Problem seems to be that the site is not a country site. If it were, the lack of maintenance etc would not be a problem. It is in the middle of a residential area and has become unkempt and uncared for. Redevelopment and the loss of some of the trees might be an improvement.
Many thanks for your very thorough and true report of the residents objections to this proposed development.
I MUST HOWEVER RAISE ONE MORE POINT, THE CURRENT USE AS A BUSINESS PARK HAS NEVER HAD PLANNING CONSENT, IN FACT IN JANUARY 2012 WE ( LOCAL RESIDENTS) WERE ADVISED BY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCILORS THAT RETROSPECTIVE PLANNING REQUEST WOULD BE REQUESTED, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE REVENUE WHICH WOULD BE DUE?, ALSO THE UNFAIR COMPETION TO TOWN BASED COMPANIES!
the current signage on the CREWE ROAD entrance blocks the view of any vehicle exiting this “junction”
I have looked at the plans and, apart from some concerns about the trees, could not see too many problems. The comment about “the precious piece of urban parkland” is very interesting. I sometimes talk a walk around the grounds and it is very rare to see anyone else doing the same. I have also noted that the place is becoming increasingly overgrown and delapidated for want of proper care. Lawns are covered in rotting leaves. If the housing plan does not go ahead, who is responsible for doing the work to restore the trees and bushes to a proper state?
The responsiblity for maintainence of the site rests with the owners, ELIM based at Malvern
Gosh, as a town we are becoming a group of moaners!