DEVELOPERS are warning they will close businesses at Astbury Mere unless they win permission to redevelop part of the shoreline.

Gladman Developments is seeking planning approval to build two offices, a gym, diving school, two houses and 128 parking spaces at the mere.

The scheme has sparked vociferous opposition from members of the public, who have sent 160 letters to the borough council.

They claim the development would damage a largely unspoilt area which gives pleasure to local people and is home to a variety of wildlife.

Gladman said the lake and its banks are private, but it has kept it open to the public because it is "public spirited" and wants people to enjoy the area.

However this situation is causing it to lose a considerable amount of money each year because management, maintenance and insurance costs far outweigh the rents it receives from its tenants.

Gladman said it has tolerated this loss in anticipation of winning approval for a scheme to further develop the shoreline to generate the income to turn the mere into profit.

If the scheme was rejected it could not sustain current losses "in perpetuity," it said, and would have no realistic option but to close businesses on the site and fence it off.

Only offices would provide sufficient rental income to meet the income shortfall, it said.

The scheme is due to go to a public inquiry after Gladman appealed against the council's failure to determine the application within the statutory period.