Public inquiry starts next week (From Northwich Guardian)

Public inquiry starts next week

12:00am Monday 26th November 2012 in News By Gina Bebbington

A PUBLIC inquiry starts on Tuesday, December 4, into plans for up to 650 new houses in Hartford.

Developers are appealing against Cheshire West and Chester Council’s (CWAC) decision to refuse the proposals in June.

CWAC’s planning committee argued that the two proposed estates would add far too much traffic to Hartford’s already-congested roads.

But Bridgemere Land PLC and Bridgemere JV Ltd, behind plans for 350 homes on land off School Lane, and Harrow Estates Plc, who have proposed 300 houses on land at Grange Farm, have asked for an inquiry into the decision.

Eight days have been set aside for the hearing, which will take place at Wyvern House, in Winsford, from 10am on Tuesday.

Hartford Parish Council and Hartford Civic Society joined forces to form the Joint Action Group (JAG) to fight the planned developments when they were first announced.

Representatives from the group, as well as from CWAC and from the developers, will present their evidence to the planning inspector.

The decision is not expected until next spring at the earliest.

A statement issued by JAG said: “We have every confidence in the inspector’s intention to listen to all the evidence and come to a fair conclusion.”

JAG is appealing for residents to support it at the first day of the hearing and a coach has been booked to offer free transport.

To book a place on the coach, which will leave the bus stop outside St John’s Church at 9.15am, ring 01606 882197.

For more information visit lethartforddecide.org.uk.