Parish Council Action Update on proposed woodland development (24/2136M).
The proposed woodland development at the Salters Lane/Leach Lane junction is an agricultural/forestry determination application (not a formal planning application) and as such Cheshire East Council were not obliged to and did not consult either The Parish Council or any neighbouring residents that would be affected. It is only due to the vigilance of members of the Parish Council and the Clerk that it was spotted, or it might have been determined without views of the parish.
The application reference was seen and included within the agenda, which was posted online and on the notice boards, for discussion on 24th June 2024.
Our unanimous position at that meeting was to proceed with the strongest possible opposition to the proposal. We then took immediate action
- Our first action was to approve the preparation of a document setting out the Parish Council’s objections and highlighting where we believe the application does not meet relevant planning criteria to be submitted to Cheshire East Council before 3rd July 2024.
- We then prepared a communication to be posted to the residents most adjacent to the development site which was circulated on the Wednesday 26th June warning of the issue and deadline for comments.
- Our Ward Councillor (Cllr Lesley Smetham) has undertaken a personal communication to CEC opposing the proposal and outlining its unsuitability in a quiet residential village
- We have asked for an extension to the comments deadline but, as it is not a planning application, there is no guarantee it will be granted. We urge that all comments should be submitted by 3rd July
We will communicate more information when we receive it.
Lower Withington Parish Council
