AN application to build 375 homes in Mobberley as part of a £100 million ‘masterplan’ has been deferred after environmental health officers said that those living on the estate could develop health problems due to aircraft noise.

Cheshire East Council’s Strategic Planning Board met last Thursday to discuss plans by LPC Living and HARMAN Technology, to build homes and a new HQ for the firm on the site.

The report states: “If granted permission, it is the EHO’s view that there will be a significant adverse impact on health and quality of life, arising from the existing noise climate at this location.”

During the meeting there were concerns from residents and committee members due to the development being just a mile away from Manchester Airport runway and directly under the flight path of airplanes.

However, those on the planning committee opposed to the plans were accused of being inconsistent after granting permission for Parkgate residential development last year.

Clr Steve Wilkinson, a member of the strategic planning committee, said: “I do hear the comments that this board granted permission for the Parkgate development but for god’s sake this site is a mile nearer to the airport.

“It is on a continuous descent path, the clue is in the name, the aircrafts are coming down all the time so a mile further on is a lot worse.”

A proposal for refusal of the application was voted for, which came in at six for and six against, before a second motion to defer the meeting until a public health assessment had been carried out was agreed.

Residents from Mobberley also packed the room at Macclesfield Town Hall to show their anger at the proposed development.

Jan Chadwick, who lives on Town Lane, Mobberley, said: “I have been lobbying councillors for the past 12 months about traffic on Town Lane and this development will only exacerbate the problem.

“The assessment that there are no traffic issues coming from the proposed development is bizarre.”

Residents in the room were ordered to calm down on several occasions after reacting in uproar to director of Savills Estate Agents, Jeremy Hinds.

Mr Hinds said: “We are not forcing people to live there, if people want to live in Mobberely and accept that as part of their life then they are free to do so.”

 

 

SIMON Ashdown, from LPC Living, told the Guardian the company would be working with the council following the committee’s decision.

“While it’s disappointing that members weren’t able to reach a decision at this week’s meeting, we’re pleased that they did recognise that the scheme would relieve pressure on further housing development within the Green Belt around Cheshire East,” he said.

“We firmly believe that the scheme will act as a catalyst to deliver a significant number of much-needed homes on a brownfield site, while retaining a prestigious manufacturing business within Mobberley.

“Over the coming weeks we will work with the council to ensure that we can fully address the comments of members and look forward to presenting the proposals to the board once again later this year.”