AROUND 50 residents living near the playing field at the centre of a controversial Cheshire East Council sale have shown the benefits of the land called ‘redundant’ and ‘poor quality’ by planning officers.

The land at Higher Downs, off Longridge, could be sold for an access road to be built, in order to facilitate access to a 225-home development on a local plan site opposite the Longridge estate.

With the access deemed necessary by the council in light of a covenant restricting access off Longridge itself, CEC is pushing ahead with advertising the sale of the open green space.

Residents’ group Knutsford Residents of Over Ward (KROW), along with members of Knutsford Town Council, is continuing to work to understand the covenant at the same time as the sale being advertised.

Debbie Jamison, co-founder of KROW, told gathered residents: “The ‘ransom strip’ along the far side of Longridge, which has a covenant on it – aimed to prevent building work on the wilderness land behind – is being used by CEC as an excuse to sell our land.

“You are all KROW and we must work to protect our open spaces from the council’s plan to sell it.”

Showing the council exactly what the land is meant for, residents gathered on Sunday for community fun including football, Frisbee and exploration of the ‘wilderness’ allowed to grow as a result of poor maintenance.

Matthew, a Boothfields homeowner, said: “This has been very educational. I had not realised the seriousness of the situation, and that CEC had been so secretive about its desire to sell the land.”

Many dog owners who use the open area for walking their pets also attended, and voiced desires to retain the area as recreational for the ward and protected green belt land.

Mrs Jamison presented a petition opposing the land – complete with more than 200 signatures – at CEC’s cabinet meeting last week.

Around half the group retired for refreshments supplied by Colin and Christine Banks in Boothfields, and for further discussions over the maps describing CEC plans.

Cabinet members decided last week that, with the decision ‘one step of many’ in the planning process, pressing ahead with advertising the disposal of the land was prudent.

Cllr Don Stockton, CEC cabinet member for regeneration, said: “To run concurrently will be a report written about the possibility of crossing the covenant land, and advertisement of the disposal of [playing field and covenant] land.”

The covenant has been found by the town council to belong to Manchester City Council, Great Places Housing Association, and between 40 and 50 stakeholders.

KROW chairman Mr Gazzard said: “We need housing in Knutsford and it’s a legitimate place to put them. This is just exploiting the expansion of greenbelt boundaries to a degree that is not acceptable.”

Knutsford Town Council member and ward councillor Tony Dean said: “I on behalf of KTC offered some weeks ago to help get the necessary releases of the covenant and that offer still stands.

“There is absolutely no rush to develop the site.

KROW can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

nWhat do you think of the plans to build an access road on open green space? Do you agree that the land is a valuable asset to the community? Email your thoughts to yourviews@guardiangrp.co.uk