Council leader Mike Jones has brushed off calls for his resignation following the overwhelming rejection of the proposed student village on green belt land in Chester.

Cllr Jones appeared on BBC1’s Sunday Politics Show where Ellesmere Port and Neston Labour MP Andrew Miller laid into Cllr Jones over his handling of the application by his friends Mike and Dave Bell of Bell Developments.

The resubmitted 2,300-bed student village scheme and accompanying Sir Steve Redgrave sports institute had been earmarked for green belt land between Blacon and Mollington.

But the plan only received one vote in favour at a special council meeting in Chester Town Hall last Thursday which was not attended by Cllr Jones because he had declared a prejudicial interest.

However, Cllr Jones has always been open about his support for the concept of a student village and justified forwarding supportive emails of the Bell scheme to his own group when questioned by presenter Arif Ansari.

Mr Miller MP, speaking from the studio, commented: “Mike Jones has clearly been very supportive of this application. He’s not seeking to deny that. He has actively, pro-actively supported this particular application.

“He’s now got himself into this bizarre position, a bit like Silvio Berlusconi, where he’s not only lost the support of his own party, he’s lost the vote and there is only one honourable thing for him to do and that’s resign.”

Andy Scargill, chairman of Friends of North Chester Greenbelt, told The Chronicle: “My own feelings are that Cllr Jones should now reconsider his position as leader of the Conservative group because from the word go he has engineered a means by which he can support this application.”

Cllr Jones told the BBC he had ‘not been involved in the planning process’ but added: “We all have a right to express our views and my views are that I believe a student village-type arrangement for this city is essential or we are going to lose brownfield land designated for housing which is going to be used for student accommodation and that could put pressure on the green belt.”

Asked on Chester radio station Dee 106.3 how he felt his leadership had been affected, he responded: “I personally support the concept of a student village around Chester and I will continue to support that but I'm not sure it affects my leadership in any way.”

Asked if he would consider his resignation, he commented: “No, I'm not sure that's appropriate because I've not participated in this process.”

Chester’s Tory MP Stephen Mosley, who campaigned against the Bell scheme, was nevertheless supportive of his Conservative colleague and the council’s policies in making savings, delivering services and partnership working.

He said: “The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The application was turned down, which is the right thing.”

No appeal decision

Bell Developments spokesman Stephen Wundke said no decision had been taken over whether to appeal the council decision to reject the student village application.

In a statement, he said: “Bell Developments, Sir Steve Redgrave and all the team are extremely disappointed with the outcome of October 3.

“We have always believed in this scheme being the right way forward for the city and we were determined to bring it to fruition.

“It would have been an honour to have delivered what we believe is a world class sports village in our home city.

“We would like to thank all our supporters who have helped in this long campaign but respect the decision of full council.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council said any appeal by Bell must be lodged within the next six months.

Mike and Dave Bell of Bell Developments, pictured with Sir Steve Redgrave, have not yet revealed whether they will be appealing against the decision
Mike and Dave Bell of Bell Developments, pictured with Sir Steve Redgrave, have not yet revealed whether they will be appealing against the decision