MIDDLEWICH residents have voiced their anger at plans to put a legal Gipsy encampment in Middlewich and turn a listed building into wash rooms for the site.

Cheshire East Council announced plans in November last year to put a legal Gipsy and traveller encampment on Cledford Lane in Middlewich and have now submitted a planning application to turn grade two listed building, Cledford Hall barns, into wash rooms on the site.

Members of the public have responded to the news by voicing their discontent and submitting several objections to the planning application.

One resident, Alan Grundy, who lives Kinderton Park on Cledford Lane, has called on the planning committee to listen to the residents of Middlewich.

In his objection, Mr Grundy said: “If this permission is granted, all house prices will plummet, the area will become a no-go zone and people will feel unsafe walking by.

“You have received petitions and letters of protest from members of the public that must not be overlooked. I wonder if the members of the planning committee would welcome such a site on their doorstep.”

Many residents have shown their frustration that the planned site would bring more traffic to the town with still no signs of work starting on the Middlewich Eastern Bypass.

Trevor Ratcliffe, who lives on Warmingham Lane, said: “Middlewich already has more than its fair share of traveller sites, and Cledford lane has enough traveller vans already speeding along them without adding more.

“Adding this site will destroy what is left of Middlewich. It is a total disgrace that the council have even considered it.


“The roads around this area are not suitable we have been waiting for years for a simple bypass yet you can pay out for all this.”


Jacqui Eyre, from Middlewich, added: “Previous visits from transit travellers have proved to be noisy, disturbing to residents, and caused smells and ground contamination from inappropriate disposal of faecal waste. “They have also brought to our town hazardous materials and conflict with existing resident travellers.”


Members of the public can submit comments on the planning application until Sunday, February 11.
The reference numbers for the application are 14/5726C and 14/5721C.