'Don't build on green belt!' | This is Staffordshire

RESIDENTS are fighting major plans to build nearly 60 houses, a retirement complex and nursing home in the green belt.

Families fear proposals to develop land off Close Lane, Alsager, will create traffic congestion.

1. BUILDING: The proposed site on Close Lane, Alsager.

And they also insist there are brownfield sites that should be built on first.

The scheme has been drawn up by Cheshire-based Muller Property Group.

The firm wants to build 28 affordable one-bed and two-bed homes, 25-to-30 family homes, 32 independent retirement units for the over-55s and a 60-bed private nursing home.

Chas Howard, chairman of the newly-formed Alsager Residents' Action Group, said families in Close Lane were 'very upset' by the proposals.

He added: "We have got a town plan that says that all new building should be on brownfield sites and this is yet another application for a greenfield site.

"It's a very narrow country road and everyone I know has had near misses around there.

"It could certainly make life more difficult if there was a larger volume of traffic around there.

"The developer needs to listen to what the people in the town wants."

The development also includes a children's play area and a multi-sports pitch for the public and Alsager Town FC.

Residents were given a preview of the plans at Alsager Civic Hall yesterday.

Tom Davies, aged 28, of Audley Road, Alsager, said: "It would be much better if they built the brownfield sites first."

Andrew Lloyd, aged 30, of Talke Road, Alsager, agreed that more affordable homes needed to be built in the town, but said they should not be developed in the green belt.

He added: "We need houses, but at what cost?

"The traffic is already bad and there too."

Derek Bould, aged 72, who has sat on Alsager Town Council for 20 years, said: "Every bit of greenfield land in Alsager will have been covered in houses and its character changed forever.

"We have existing brownfield sites that will become increasingly dilapidated unless they are developed in ways that benefit the community."

As part of the plans, Muller proposes a range of highway improvements including creating a safer turning from Church Lane into Crewe Road.

Colin Muller, chief executive of Muller Property Group, said: "Cheshire is facing a growing housing shortage."

"Our proposals represent an excellent opportunity to deliver badly-needed family and affordable housing for Alsager in a sustainable way and using the latest environmental design and materials.

"As well as much needed housing our Close Lane proposals also bring forward highly sought after independent living properties for the over-55s and a close care nursing home.

"It is well documented that with the town's ageing population, high-quality facilities such as these are in increasing demand."

A planning application is due to submitted to Cheshire East Council at the end of January.

Residents can receive updates on developments in Alsager by visiting www.alsageraction.org.uk.

Source: http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Don-t-build-green-belt/story-17585687-detail/story.html

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