A CHESHIRE East Council decision to block the development of a water sports park in Chelford has been upheld by a planning inspector following an appeal.

The Cheshire Lakes development plans for the former Mere Farm Quarry were rejected by the council’s strategic planning committee in April, going against the advice of council officers.

An appeal by the applicant saw the decision reviewed by the planning inspectorate, but was dismissed on the grounds of perceived inappropriate green belt development.

Planning inspector Elizabeth Pleasant weighed up further issues of a loss of openness and biodiversity against the benefits of jobs, tourism, and health and wellbeing, but found no ‘special circumstances’ required to outweigh the impact on the green belt.

She said: “The appeal proposal would not preserve green belt openness and would conflict with the purposes of safeguarding the countryside from encroachment.

“Consequently, the appeal proposal would be an inappropriate development and would have a significantly harmful effect on the openness and purposes of including land within the green belt.

“The proposed development would result in direct habitat loss through the construction of the proposed buildings and car park.

“There is no doubt in my mind that when viewed as a whole, the development proposals would result in a significant loss of openness.

“I have found that there are no very special circumstances in this case which would be sufficient to justify the proposal.”

The Cheshire Lakes proposal has been a source of frustration for developers, with plans rejected, then approved, called back in and rejected, resubmitted and finally rejected.

Plans had promised an environmentally-friendly adventure centre, with facilities for cable wakeboarding, open swimming, a ropes course and paddleboarding.

The team at Industry Wake Parks, who are behind the plans, are currently discussing their next steps following this latest setback.

What do you think of the inspector’s decision? Let us know your thoughts by emailing yourviews@guardiangrp.co.uk