NATIONAL Trust chiefs have slammed a landowner’s bid to build a logistics and science park on the doorstep of one of its treasured stately homes, Dunham Massey.

Henry Brooks, of Tatton Estates Management (TEM), is proposing to build a 75-hectare ‘world class Science and Advanced Manufacturing Park’ on Green Belt land south of Bowdon Roundabout.

The proposed 53 hectare logistics park, which would cater to e-commerce businesses, would sit adjacent to Dunham Massey Estate, which draws half a million visitors each year.

National Trust bosses said downgrading the land from its current Green Belt status would pose a ‘threat’ to the land.

A spokesperson for National Trust said: “It is the view of the National Trust that the site being promoted as the Cheshire Gateway should be retained as Green Belt. The trust considers that the Cheshire Gateway proposals have failed to recognise the implications and significances of the nearby Dunham Massey Estate.

“It is particularly of concern that consideration has not been given to the impact of the proposals upon heritage assets and especially the wider setting of Dunham.

"The land put forward for allocation forms part of the wider setting of the Dunham Massey Estate which is held by the trust ‘forever, for everyone’ and its removal from the Green Belt would be a threat to the special significances of the land that it manages on behalf of the nation.”

The Stop the Cheshire Gateway Group (SCG) wants to see the plans scrapped.

Ged Mann, on behalf of SCG, said: “Just down the road from this site we have Alderley Park, a well-established science park which has spare capacity which cannot be filled. Mr Brooks’ scheme will totally decimate the unique character of this area. He will benefit hugely, but it will cost the nation part of its heritage. It is the wrong development in the wrong place.”

However, TEM said it is ‘crucial’ to strengthen the logistics network in the region due to the ‘forever advancing digital economy’.

A spokesperson said: “The Cheshire Gateway team is extremely disappointed to see a vociferous minority making statements about the Cheshire Gateway which are grossly inaccurate. It is essential that this region is able to provide the jobs and services we need as a society and our team are proud to be looking to do so in an exceptional, high quality scheme.

“Whilst the site currently sits within the Green Belt in the Cheshire East Local Plan, it is a far cry from being green fields due to the existing M56, A556, electricity pylons, and ongoing engineering work on the new £200m A556.

“As the photographs on our website show, this has resulted in land being stripped of green areas and turned into an industrial site compound, new roundabout, slip roads, attenuation ponds etc, leaving smaller, landlocked areas with soil and drainage issues making it less suitable than ever for agriculture.”

TEM said the site’s location makes it an ideal location to deliver jobs without having a detrimental impact on Dunham Massey or the local environment.

It said it would welcome the opportunity to speak to the National Trust, but that requests to do so have been turned down thus far.

“Some have suggested the plans are not necessary because of the nearby Alderley Park and sweepingly dismiss the need for extra science facilities without acknowledging the huge innovation and growth in Cheshire,” added the spokesperson.

“Examples of this existing innovation include Novartis doubling in size at Holmes Chapel, the Square Kilometre Array at Jodrell Bank and Daresbury, as well as the strong take-up at Alderley, all of which involved Green Field development, and Astra Zeneca’s continued investment in Hurdsfield.

“Cheshire Gateway, alongside other key infrastructure projects including the Atlantic Gateway and the £60 million announced to expand Citylabs in Manchester City Centre, will, with local support, help achieve not only economic growth but potentially major innovations such as life-saving discoveries, whilst also creating 2,500 jobs of all types for local people including importantly the next generation.”