You can't stop nature (From Warrington Guardian)

You can't stop nature

NATURE reserve developer Leo Deen is planning to open his venture despite losing a planning appeal over the project.

A Coronation Street star is being lined up by Mr Deen to open the Pedley Lane Nature Reserve at Timbersbrook on September 10.

Mr Deen appealed to the Deputy Prime Minister's Office against being refused planning permission for the reserve and a warden's cabin.

Planning inspector Chris Watson dismissed the appeal because the development would harm the green belt.

However Mr Deen said this week he intended to open the reserve, minus the cabin, on the basis of a letter he received from Congleton Borough Council.

He said a letter from the council's planning department shortly after he bought the site stated the use of the land for a nature reserve was acceptable.

He added the letter said justification would need to be provided for a dwelling on the site.

Borough planning chief Geoff Allen said this week if Mr Deen opened the reserve he would be in breach of planning control.

He added that in those circumstances it would be open to the council to seek enforcement action against Mr Deen if it thought that was appropriate.

"For two years I have been attempting to open a nature reserve and educational facility for local schools, groups and the community," said Mr Deen.

"Local businesses and individuals are supporting me with materials and labour, and the reserve will be free of charge."

He said companies would be sponsoring the animals which would feature at the reserve, which would open for two or three days a week, one of those at a weekend.

Planning inspector, Mr Watson said the development would not materially harm road safety interests, and certain elements of the scheme had "an affinity with the countryside."

"However these aspects do not outweigh the fact that overall it would constitute inappropriate development harmful to the function, purpose and visual amenity of the green belt," he said.

Mr Watson said Mr Deen maintained to maximise the educational benefits of the reserve it had to be in the countryside.

"I am not persuaded this is a sufficient basis to permit the development, given its speculative nature and the fact only a relatively small element of the use could realistically be described as a nature reserve," added Mr Watson.

He added Mr Deen had provided no detailed information about the long-term viability of the reserve.