Housing plan submitted

Plans for over 100 homes on a greenfield site in Whaley Bridge have now been submitted to High Peak Borough Council.

Gladman Developments have applied for outline permission for up to 107 dwellings, site access, highway works, landscaping and public open space on a site on Macclesfield Road.

Campaign group Whaley Bridge Matters have been fighting to save the site, known as C9, from development, and had hoped it would be taken out of the proposed local plan as a suitable site for housing.

Local ward councillors supported their views, and at a meeting of the council last week, put forward a motion that the site was removed but this was defeated by one vote.

Councillors later voted not to accept the vital document and it is still unclear what the next step will be.

Kevin Worthington, chair of the campaign group, said: “It was frustrating to lose by one vote. The turnout of our members at the council meeting was terrific, over 30 people. We believe the one-vote defeat can be turned around.

“Within 24 hours of the local plan going back into the melting pot, Gladman took advantage of the council’s situation. Developers look upon uncertainty all over the country as winning the lottery, a chance to make a fortune. But we are ready with our arguments against Gladman.

“I have some sympathy with the council position. The plan needs a complete overhaul to take into account brownfield sites, particularly in Whaley Bridge. Once a greenfield site goes, we could never get it back.”