WARMINGHAM Lane residents could soon have to contend with 350 new neighbours.
Gladman Developments’ unveiled its blueprints for 194 properties at Pettywood Farm on Friday and Saturday The exhibition at Middlewich Civic Hall also revealed that another piece of land on the same site has been earmarked by Bellway Homes with an option to build an estimated 150 homes.
“We didn’t want to be accused of deceiving people by not showing it on the plans,” said Mike Heming, project manager for Gladman Developments.
“We’ve spoken to Bellway Homes and we understand they’ll bring their proposal forward in the not-too-distant future but can’t comment any further than that.”
The Guardian visited the exhibition on Friday when residents were expressing their concerns.
“It would be a nightmare,” said Adrian Cross, who lives opposite the proposed site.
“How would you fit hundreds of extra cars on the Roman road that is Warmingham Lane? It’s a rat run through to Crewe.”
Jackie Eyre, of Davenham Way, added: “My daughter started this year at Middlewich High School which is over-subscribed.
“All these estates keep coming but there’s nothing to support it.”
Exhibition boards said that the plans would help address Cheshire East’s shortfall of 2,000 homes over the next five years.
But Claire Blundell, of Davenham Way, said: “That argument is simply political posturing as everyone knows that a massive amount of housing is already in the pipeline such as the Albion Chemicals site.
“I believe that Middlewich needs a proper strategic vision which will focus on the protection of our town's limited attractive features and the improvement of all the unsightly brownfield sites, such as the wharf and RHM site.
“I am angry that developers take a short-term view and try to wreck our lovely fields.”
Martyn Twigg, planning manager, said that Gladman Developments would be happy to put money towards schools and infrastructure if it was deemed appropriate.
He also said that traffic surveys were underway.
Mr Twigg added: “We see this as a really important process so the community can tell us about their concerns and aspirations and we can understand what they want in the scheme.
“On other schemes we’ve provided a community hall, satellite surgery and convenience store on site.”
But Clr Simon McGrory, ward member for Middlewich, said: “They’re asking people to comment on housing outside the settlement zone.
“Effectively this moves the town further south without any suitable infrastructure to back it up.”
- Gladman Developments’ application is expected to be submitted to the council in March - The Guardian approached Bellway Homes for comment but we had not received a response as we went to press
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