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“I wanted to update you in respect of the proposal to build new homes in part of
Reddish Vale Country Park, a proposal which was opposed by myself and the
Reddish Labour Councillors. Despite the overwhelming objections sent to the
Stockport planning committee, the decision to approve the scheme was
made.
Since then, residents
have sought to have the decision judicially reviewed, which I fully
support.
This week, local
residents and users of Reddish Vale Country Park have notified me that tree
felling has commenced on the site. I have asked Stockport Council why, and this
is their response:
“A license has been
issued to Countryside properties to allow them to carry out a full independent
ecological assessment, and then to remove any potential nesting sites, before
the main nesting season starts. Although this is in preparation for the proposed
development, it does not require separate planning approval or the issuing of
the planning approval for the proposed development. Relevant Executive Cllrs and
the ward Cllrs are fully aware of this work.
The sale of this open
space is currently subject to public consultation, prior to a decision by the
Executive. This public consultation, or pending decision, does not however
preclude the Council, as landowner, from permitting the works previously
described.
Finally, to be clear,
it is the planning approval (which has not yet been made) which is the subject
of the recent application for a Judicial Review.”
Clearly, Stockport
Council’s response is totally unacceptable to me, and I know a number of local
residents are urgently exploring taking an injunction out to prevent any felling
of more trees until the judicial review into the planning application has been
heard.
Even should the judge
uphold the planning permission, before any building can begin there must also be
public consultation to approve the removal of the land from both the curtilage
of the Country Park and from the Greater Manchester Green Belt, the latter which
must also be approved by the Secretary of State. So there’s still a very long
way to go.
I will keep you
updated, but please be assured of my continued opposition to the destruction of
our Country Park, which serves both Stockport and Tameside residents
alike.
Best wishes,”
ANDREW
GWYNNE MP
Shadow
Health Minister
Labour
– Denton and Reddish
Constituency
Office, Denton Town Hall, Market Street, Denton, M34 2AP
House
of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
Tel:
0161 320 1504 (Constituency)
Tel:
0207
219 4708 (House of Commons Voicemail)
Fax:
0161 320 1503 Twitter:
@GwynneMP Facebook:
AndrewGwynneMP
Serving
the communities of:
Audenshaw,
Denton, Dukinfield, Haughton Green, Heaton Chapel, Heaton Norris and
Reddish
in
the House of Commons
