Golf club claims it has overwhelming support for scheme (From Knutsford Guardian)

Golf club claims it has overwhelming support for scheme

4:40pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News By James Wilson

A GOLF club has resubmitted its plans for a new hotel, seven homes and sporting and leisure facilities on the outskirts of Knutsford.

Woodside Golf Club on Knutsford Road withdrew its planning application in December to add facilities such as tennis courts, a bowling green, football and cricket pitches, a children’s play area and other community sporting facilities to the existing course.

Under the proposals, which were submitted to Cheshire East Council earlier this month, up to 50 extra jobs would be created, with plans for seven homes and a 23-bedroom hotel part of the application.

The plans were withdrawn – as reported in the Guardian – before they went before Cheshire East Planning Committee as directors at Woodside felt there were some inaccuracies in the original report to the committee.

Shaun Devaney, a director at Woodside, said: “We withdrew the application last time as we were concerned the planning committee would not be getting accurate enough information.

“We want to work closely with the planning department to ensure the committee have all the facts and are fully aware of the support our proposals have in the local community.

“Undeniably there is a need as well as strong support for sports facilities in the area; especially when they are provided at a nominal rate to six local schools and the people of Cranage.

“Unfortunately the original report claimed there were plenty of sporting facilities in the area.

“The report states we were in open countryside, when in fact our land is amenity land/golf course. We believe this would have given the wrong impression to committee members.”

More than 150 letters of support from the local community and sporting groups were sent to the council when the plans were first submitted.

“Since the re-submission, visitors to Woodside have been filling in questionnaires in relation to our new application,” Shaun added.

“We will be delivering more than 100 of these in support of the application, with only one against, next week.

“We have the support of our MP Fiona Bruce, local councillors Clr Andrew Kolker, Les Gilbert and the unanimous support of Cranage Parish Council.

“We also have the support of the households adjoining the site, with just eight households in Cranage objecting.

“I hope this shows the facilities are needed and wanted locally. We know the ratepayers do not have the money to build sports facilities.

“They do not have the finance to pay people or to staff and maintain them.

“My question is: what is wrong in these difficult times with private enterprise financing projects to help local schools, the people of Cranage and the area as a whole?”

The application is due to be heard by Cheshire East’s Strategic Planning Board on April 3.