HAVING read James Wilson’s article, April 15, about Holmes Chapel Parish Council’s plea for a freeze on further development of Holmes Chapel until a Neighbourhood Plan is in place, Goostrey Parish Council unanimously resolved at its meeting to support Holmes Chapel Parish Council’s campaign.

Goostrey residents are heavily dependent on Holmes Chapel to provide many health, educational, leisure and retail services they use.

It is important to Goostrey residents that the infrastructure needed to support the development for Holmes Chapel and its surrounding villages is put in place before any more unplanned development is permitted.

Goostrey Parish Council is particularly concerned about the danger of land in Holmes Chapel needed for the expansion of essential services, such as health, leisure and retail and additional parking, being lost to more unplanned housing before the necessary services have been identified and planned.

The lack of strategic planning threatens to prevent Holmes Chapel developing into a Key Service Centre capable of supporting the growing number of people around Holmes Chapel which will rely on it.

Goostrey Parish Council therefore requests that Cheshire East adopts a policy which imposes a moratorium on further housing in and around Holmes Chapel until there is a plan in place to provide the services and associated infrastructure needed to support current and planned housing.

Goostrey is in the process of producing a Neighbourhood Plan and our vision statement is “To maintain Goostrey as a desirable and attractive rural village in which to live, supporting a high quality of life for all residents.

“Any future changes or developments shall be determined for the long term benefit of the whole community.”

Peter Godfrey Chairman – Goostrey Parish Council