MOBBERLEY Parish Council and residents are stepping up the fight to halt a multi-million pound, 360-home development at the heart of the village – by taking the battle into their own hands.

In July, a £100million scheme to build a new HQ for firm HARMANS along with 360 new homes on Ilford Way was presented to Cheshire East Council’s Strategic Planning Board, with a recommendation for approval.

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.

In reaction to the tight decision, Residents Against Mobberley Sprawl (RAMS) and the parish council have decided to join forces and pledged to become more actively involved in the resistance.

They are seeking professional help in building a case against the development.

In a joint statement, RAMS and Mobberley Parish Council said: “We believe we have an extremely strong case. To this end, we are looking to appoint consultants either to undertake an independent report on our behalf or to peer review reports that will be prepared by the council and the applicant.

“This will cost money but we feel this is the most important decision that will be taken in Mobberley for the foreseeable future.

“If the development is allowed it will increase the population of Mobberley by more than 25percent at one go, add no additional service facilities and adversely change the character of our village. “The parish council has offered some financial support to sustain the objection, but we, the residents, will have to make our contribution.”

The parish council and residents group have also asked for residents’ help in a number of areas, including measuring individual plane noise using a mobile app.

The site is located just a mile away from Manchester Airport runway and directly under the flight path of airplanes, a fact that contributed to the application’s deferment.

What do you think of the plans? Do you support the application or oppose it? Comment below.