TOWN councillors insist there must be new infrastructure in Middlewich to cope with the extra housing that is on the way.
Members of Middlewich Town Council discussed the latest plans for 404 new homes at Glebe Farm during Monday’s virtual meeting.
The scheme already has outline approval – meaning Cheshire East Council has given permission for housing on the land, but more details are required on the scheme’s design and layout.
But town councillors took the opportunity to voice their strong concerns about new homes being built in Middlewich without extra road capacity, school places or GP provision coming first.
Cllr Chris Jones suggested the town council should take a blanked stance against new homes being built in Middlewich without infrastructure improvements.
He said: “I totally object to any more houses being built in the town without the infrastructure to match.
“We’ve had all these houses, tons of houses built, and we’ve not had a single bit of infrastructure for years.
“I think as a town council, every time a planning application comes in for more than one dwelling, we should have a stock answer that we oppose any development until we have the infrastructure to match.”
The scheme would have two access points from Booth Lane and Warmingham Lane – two of the busiest roads in Middlewich.
Traffic concerns were a key issue for members, with Cllr Graham Orme pointing out that the original approved planning application from 2013 used traffic modelling dating back to 2001, while Cllr Mike Hunter insisted the town is now ‘gridlocked’ at peak times.
Cllr Pauline Hickey added: “It’s not just driving out of Booth Lane – you can’t get across the roads.
“I can’t even walk round to little Tesco between 4pm and 7pm because the roads are that jam-packed and everyone is speeding – you take your life into your own hands.”
Meanwhile, Cllr David Latham insisted residents are ‘sick to death’ of struggling for school places and GP appointments.
He added: “And yet CEC believes Middlewich is a viable place to bring more housing to.
“Not until we get better schools and better doctors should we be accepting any more housing.”
The latest plans have been submitted by Taylor Wimpey having completed the purchase of the 40-acre site from Willsgrove Developments earlier this month.
They include 404 new homes – with 41 to be listed for affordable rent – along with a convenience store and public open space with play facilities.
Taylor Wimpey hopes a new priority access junction from Booth Lane will help to keep traffic moving along the busy road between Middlewich and Sandbach.
Lichfields, representing the major housebuilder, says in its planning application: “This will ensure that there is no delay to traffic on Booth Lane and that the traffic accessing the site will do so safely and efficiently during even the busiest periods of a typical weekday.
“The principle of residential development at Glebe Farm is established by the allocation of the site in the Cheshire East local plan strategy and the approval of outline planning permission.
“The site is in a sustainable location for development and the application proposals will help to meet the council’s housing objectives.”
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Residents can comment on the Glebe Farm plans until February 11.
To view the plans, search for ‘20/5700C’ on CEC’s planning website.
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