Residents in Nantwich have welcomed a “stop notice” imposed on developers building 50 new houses in the town.
Cheshire East Council has served a “temporary stop notice” on Stewart Milne Homes Ltd, ordering all work on the Regents Park site to cease.
Notices have been tied to fences on the development enforcing the decision.
They state they have been necessary “to protect further impact on neighbouring amenity and the natural environment, and for an assessment of the impact of the development”.
Work has been underway on the site for three months after Stewart Milne was granted planning permission for the development.
But a section 106 agreement which needed to be agreed before development work could begin, had not been agreed and completed.
Residents Terri and Bob Humphreys, who live next to the site entrance on Crewe Road, said they have been suffering for weeks as workmen and heavy machinery rumble just a few yards past their property.
Mrs Humphreys said: “These developers have been destroying our home and destroying our lives.
“I knew they had not got planning permission to start work, but they have been here for 10 weeks.
“There were 32 conditions attached to that planning permission, including that Sect 106 which they don’t have.
“These diggers have been rolling past our house every day, sending vibrations through our home and foundations. I am speaking for everyone here.”
Peter Jackson (pictured), who lives on the other corner of the access road to the site, criticised Cheshire East Council for acting too slowly.
He added: “It was amazing to see Cheshire East Council finally listened to the voice of the public and a member of their own council, and finally acknowledged Milne were in violation of planning consent.
“Despite the fact terms and conditions laid out in the 106 agreement had not been meet, they continued with the development of the site.
“But this could and should have been implemented three weeks ago had representatives of Cheshire East listened to members of the public who advised from the Leader Cllr Michael Jones down to the planning officers and enforcement officer, that development was being continued.
“This proves that despite the CEC saying there was nothing they could do, there was and they have now at last had the bottle to do it.
“Let’s hope this is the start of something new and that the councils officials will finally do what they were elected to do, represent the people who elected them.
Cllr Peter Groves, of Nantwich South and Stapeley, said he had met residents who aired their concerns about the site.
He said: “There have been complaints about a number of issues going on on that site.
“I know vibration monitor officer and a section 106 officer were due to go out there.
“Planning told me the section 106 was imminent but it had still not been signed.”
A Cheshire East Council spokesman said: “Council officers visited the site following concerns raised by local residents, including complaints about noise levels.
“In light of this, and taking into consideration the development does not yet have formal planning permission, the decision to issue a temporary stop notice was taken.
“This will allow the council time to request further information as required, whilst ensuring protection of the locality.”
Nantwichnews has contacted Stewart Milne Homes and we are awaiting their reply.
If anyone is interested they can catch up on Radio Stokes news item on Monday at 17-20pm ( Lea Thomas’s report) on their website.
I hope this means that future developments will also have to abide by the rules and not break the rules.
Although this is only a Temporary Stop Notice, it should do the job it is meant to do, i.e. protect the amenity and all who are concerned (not just the immediate neighbours, but all persons and properties affected). Hopefully when the works start up again the operation will be carried out in accordance with approved standards and conditions
I’m familiar with this development, which is for 59 timber framed houses, however I am not aware of any resident receiving any communications from the developer at any time from conception to implementation of works. The properties on the boundary of the site were just hit with 13 weeks of mayhem. It seems that goodwill has not been a priority with this outfit.
So, “Well Done Cheshire East”, you have shown you have the guts to take action when it matters.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. However, I would like to add that the Stage 1 Road Safety Audit for the proposed junction arrangement with the A534 Crewe Road is of paramount importance.
about time!!!!!!!