The Inspector has issued an interim report on the Core Strategy. Regarding Cheadle, he has stated the strategy is unsound. Please read the following statement from his report:

 

UNSOUND: The proposed extension to the north-east of Cheadle (Area 2) is not justified by the evidence. Even allowing for the potential for a new school, it scores poorly in the SA and significantly lower than areas (4a, 4 and 5) previously included in the Submission CS. However, indications from the County Council are that, even with the amount of housing proposed, there is no certainty that a new primary school would be justified. In these circumstances the score of 5 for the potential for a new school in Areas 1 and 2 in the SA appears unjustified. Whilst Area 1 scores well without the school, Area 2 would be relegated to one of the lowest scores in the SA for the Cheadle area. In these circumstances there appears no justification for retaining Area 2. However, its deletion will leave a deficit in housing allocations and the Council will be faced with re-instating at least one of the areas previously included in the Submission document.

For the full report please click HERE.

The group is encouraged by the Inspector’s recommendations to delete area 2, although we are extremely disappointed that area 1 still seems to be in the frame.  Now the Inspector has confirmed that the School is unlikely to occur, Area 1 actually scores lower in the sustainability appraisal than area 4.

We are awaiting a response from the Council on what a_ctions they will take following the Inspector’s recommendations.  It is highly likely that another consultation on the amendments will take place in the near future. The Action Group hopes that residents will yet again support us in this campaign when we reaffirm our case.