MIDDLEWICH Town Council has reversed its decision to support the planned Gipsy site on Cledford Lane and says it will now make a ‘revised recommendation.’


The town council submitted its support for the Cheshire East Council planning application earlier this month and left many residents angered at the decision. 


However it has now decided to reconsider, stating that new information has come to light. 


A statement, compiled by Middlewich Town Council clerk Jonathan Williams, read: “Middlewich Town Council will now make a revised and considered recommendation on the application for this transit site, based upon new information and facts that have come to light since the original recommendation that was submitted to the Planning Authority on January 27.”


The statement raised several issues including access to the site, security to the site, as well as concerns around the application to convert a listed building into a wash facility.


The statement read: “The effect on the development due to its Listed Building status appears detrimental and against Policy.


There are concerns that the site is now deemed suitable when it was dismissed early in the Gypsy and Traveller Assessment due to its Listed Building status.”


Despite the town council now going back on their previous decision to back the plans, some residents are still not happy with the response.


Bob Moody, who is leading a campaign among residents against the site, says he had hoped for a stronger objection to support the residents of Middlewich.


He said: “I have hoped for vehement opposition to the proposal in view of the outcry from local residents, but the report just seems to raise concerns about some issues. 


“Perhaps this is the polite and diplomatic way of opposing such a development, however I had hoped for something stronger like ‘Middlewich has already catered adequately for the Gipsy and traveller community and we strongly oppose further development of this type within the town.’


“However raising some concerns is certainly better than welcoming the proposal, and I suppose we should be thankful for that.”