CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to allow homes to be built on the remaining open space in Middlewich have a second chance to stop the proposals.
Congleton Borough Council has reopened a period of public consultation on its Local Development Framework, the blueprint for the next five years, after proposals to develop land in Middlewich were included after the end of the last consultation period.
Community leaders in Middlewich were furious sites in the town had been added -after they had given their blessing to the document. By the time it reached Congleton Borough Council last week, it contained proposals for new housing off Lewin Street, on a site next to the St Michael's Way telephone exchange and on Buckley's Field, where a community dig has unearthed Roman and Viking artefacts.
The council ruled the Framework should be put out for further public consultation as it had 'significantly changed from the original document'.
Middlewich Cllr Mike Parsons said: 'So much had been added to the document that all agreed it had changed beyond all recognition. It's gone back to public consultation and I hope people will write in with their opinions.
'These plans for Middlewich are ridiculous. There would be significant infrastructure problems caused by the Lewin Street development, while extra traffic from more housing on St Michael's Way could block a main road in the town.
'The Buckley's Field plan is just building more stuff on top of a Roman archaeological dig - we don't even know what's there yet and they wanted to build over it. I hope people will make their feelings known and an alternative can be found to the plan.'
Residents can see the LDF at Westfields, Sandbach, or at www.congleton. gov.uk and can write to Geoff Allan or Richard House at: Congleton Borough Council, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach CW11 1HZ by January 31.
