ENFORCEMENT action is being taken by Cheshire East Council in order that land in Mobberley is reinstated to a field.

An enforcement notice from the council was attached on Friday to the entrance to the site off Moss Lane, where controversial hardstanding and a security fence have been installed.

Dozens of villagers wrote to Cheshire East to express their anger at the work which had taken place, voicing their suspicions that the site may be turned into a travellers’ site or airport parking.

They opposed an application to vary a condition of plans approved in November 2017 for the building of a stable block on the site and changing its use to equestrian.

Christopher Dring sought approval from Cheshire East to reword a condition to amend the approved site plan to show an area of temporary hardstanding, but the application was refused in June.

The council said the application represented inappropriate development in the Green Belt, and ‘the scale and appearance of the hardstanding, together with the large security fence give the appearance of an industrial site, totally out of character with the rural location’.

The enforcement notice attached to the gate leading to the site requires the removal of an earth bund and all hardstanding.

It also requires the reinstatement of areas of land with top soil and reseeding, the reinstatement of a bank of soil and the planting of a hawthorn hedge on top, and the closure or alteration of access to the site.

The work must be carried out within four months, or within six months for the access work, with the enforcement notice taking effect on November 29 unless an appeal is made beforehand.

The notice said that failure to comply with an Enforcement Notice which had taken effect could result in prosecution and/or remedial action by the council.

Mr Dring, from Huddersfield, is one of six people who have or will be served with a copy of the notice.

Cllr Charlotte Leach said: “I am pleased that the enforcement notice has now been issued by Cheshire East Council.

Knutsford Guardian:

Cllr Charlotte Leach has welcomed the Enforcement Notice

"In its current condition the site is a complete eyesore, and has caused considerable upset and concern to nearby neighbours.

"I will be keeping a close eye on the situation as things progress and am hopeful that the site is returned to its original condition as soon as possible."