MOBBERLEY councillor Charlotte Leach says her priority for land up for sale in Moss Lane is to see it returned to its original condition as soon as possible.

Enforcement action was initiated by Cheshire East Council in October so land where controversial hardstanding and a security fence had been installed would be reinstated to a field.

Dozens of villagers were up in arms at the work, and Cllr Leach welcomed the notice, saying the site was ‘an eyesore’ and had caused ‘considerable upset and concern’ to nearby neighbours.

The 3.7-acre site has now gone up for sale, with ‘the benefit of full planning permission granted for equestrian use and to build a block of four stables and tack room or feed store’.

Cllr Leach said this week: “Over the last few months since the enforcement notice was issued I have been keeping a close eye on the site to see if any progress has been made on restoring it.”

After discovering the site was on the market she contacted the estate agent marketing the land to ensure any potential buyer was aware of the enforcement notice requirements.

Knutsford Guardian:

The enforcement notice at the site in October

She added: “My priority is ensuring the site is returned to its original condition as soon as possible, and I will be keeping a close eye on the progress of any potential sale.

"For the sake of residents who have had to put up with this eyesore for far too long I am hopeful it won’t be too long before a buyer is found.”

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

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

The enforcement notice included requiring the removal of an earth bund and all hardstanding and the closure or alteration of access to the site.