Action group urges residents to object to controversial plans to build 100 homes in Tarporley

A CAMPAIGN leader says it’s ‘critical’ that hundreds of villagers object to controversial plans to build 100 homes in Tarporley.

Michael George, who spearheads the action group Tarporley Greenfield Awareness Project, is urging residents to act now if they are to put a stop to the proposal.

Developer Fox Strategic Land and Property (FLP) has submitted an outline planning application to Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) for a development on land off Nantwich Road.

The proposal, outside the designated development boundary for the village, has been met with opposition from residents – 650 have signed a petition – and the parish council.

But Mr George says despite that level of opposition the most crucial action that can be taken is to make an official objection to CWaC.

He said: “Villagers can and should have their say in the way Tarporley grows rather than allow opportunistic developments like this to be forced through.

“Over 650 people have signed a petition against this development which is a clear signal that it is not wanted.

“However it is critical that we are also able to demonstrate that residents are opposed to this development by ensuring as many people as possible object to it.

“Anyone, even children, can object. Four people in a household means potentially four objections.”

Mr George, who will meet MP Stephen O’Brien on Friday to ask for his support, added: “In addition anyone outside of the village from anywhere in the country can also object – we need hundreds and doing this will increase our chances of stopping the destruction of the countryside surrounding Tarporley forever.

“We will be leafleting the whole village in the next week providing residents with details of how to object and urge everyone to have their say.”

Last week FLP said the council would receive nearly £1m under the Government’s New Homes Bonus scheme if the plan was given the go-ahead.

Mr George responded: “It is not intended to encourage housing development which would otherwise be inappropriate in planning terms, which this proposed development is.”

FLP project director Martyn Twigg says Tarporley has been identified as a ‘sustainable settlement that could accommodate a sizeable portion of almost 5,000 new homes’ needed in the rural area over the next 15 years.