Anger in Audlem as developers 'snub' village revamp talks (From Warrington Guardian)

Anger in Audlem as developers 'snub' village revamp talks

AUDLEM residents have condemned property developer Muller as 'arrogant' after they snubbed a public meeting held to discuss their controversial plans.

Around 100 villagers packed out Audlem Public Hall to hear concerns about the developer's recently submitted planning application for 19 homes and three retail units on the canalside site in Shropshire Street.

An initial proposal for 35 homes on the site in Audlem's conservation area has already been refused and residents are lobbying for the scaled-down plans to be rejected on the same grounds.

Richard Furber, chairman of Audlem Parish Council, explained: "The planning issues relating to traffic congestion, shop access, parking on site and on the street, sewerage, fire engine access, rubbish disposal, school availability and aesthetics were virtually unchanged."

It was also stated at the meeting that no-one wanted the three shops included in the proposal.

A number of speakers said that Mullers refusal to attend was showing contempt to Audlem Parish Council, local residents and other attendees.

Mr Furber added: "The site is critical to the appearance of Audlem village centre for generations to come and it is extraordinarily arrogant of a developer to think he can simply ignore the views of so many."

Local borough councillor Rachel Bailey attended the meeting with Alan Millington, chief planning officer for Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council.

Mr Millington said: "We have taken the resident's concerns to Muller, who will take them into consideration, but we have also received more objections to the application."

Developers spokesman Diana Stephenson said: "Mullers is only a small company and the owner has gone on holiday so they informed organisers no one was available to attend the meeting, supplied a full information pack and offered a contact if anyone had a specific query."