The shape of things to come in next 30 years (From Knutsford Guardian)

The shape of things to come in next 30 years

7:50pm Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News By James Wilson

KNUTSFORDIANS packed the Brook Street School Rooms to hear from a land owner and developer on the plans for the town over the next 30 years.

Knutsford Conservation and Heritage Group set up the meeting on Wednesday, September 26 to discuss the draft town strategy – and it was standing room only as residents crammed in to hear more about the plans.

Henry Brooks from Tatton Estates was guest speaker, while Cheshire East – and Knutsford Town – Clr Peter Raynes answered questions from concerned residents.

The Knutsford Town Strategy will determine future infrastructure up to 2030, setting out housing, jobs, roads, schools, leisure facilities, parks and green spaces – but many residents have complained about the lack of publicity.

Andrew Malloy, chairman of KCHG, told the Guardian he believed the meeting was a success.

“Peter Raynes started the meeting and we gave thanks to him because he did 30 minutes of questions and of course we had the Cheshire East input from him as well,” he said.

“There were a lot of questions why Cheshire East hadn’t held a similar meeting. Henry Brooks then spoke and put his perspective on the plan and how he saw the consultation.

“He spoke about how proud he was of the town and how he wants to see it improve in a sustainable way. He brought a planner along and one of the most important things he stressed was that this is the first stage of many consultations.

“The big thing though was to make sure people had a good understanding so they could get their comments in before the deadline on Monday (October 1).”

Julie Kerwin, of Tabley Close, was at the meeting and in a letter to the Guardian voiced her continued concerns about the plan.

“From the meeting we now know for a fact that, should this go ahead, there are intentions to build a hotel, a golf club, a housing estate on Mereheath Lane known as Areas C, D and E, and to move the sports clubs to further away from town as well as a potential ‘employment area’,” she said.

“We also know that there is an intention to move the industrial units from Parkgate to the other side of Knutsford, near the A556.

“These plans could not possibly have been cobbled together over the last couple of weeks, but must surely have been months in the making when the rest of us were kept in the dark.

“I applaud the Town and Cheshire East Clrs who have made their opinions and objections clear and would request that the others step down from the fence and tell the voting population of Knutsford where they stand on this matter.”

For more on the plan, visit knutsfordguardian.co.uk and search ‘Knutsford Town Strategy’.