There were 32 objections from local residents to Countryside Properties' planning application 17F/1805 (see last Newsletter) in respect of the former Gateacre Comp school site. Our Environment Secretary, Mike Chitty, spoke against the proposal at the City Council's Planning Committee meeting on 24th October, as did our ward councillors Alice Bennett and Malcolm Kelly. However the Committee decided to approve the planning application in accordance with the Planning Officer's recommendation.

We can only hope that two of our criticisms - the company's failure to produce the promised Residents Travel Pack (to encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport in preference to the private car) and the Council's failure to improve a 'nearby' public open space (as compensation for the lack of on-site recreational provision) - will be remedied over the next few months. Currently, we are told, only £80,000 of the £231,000 'section 106 money' handed over by Countryside to the Council has been earmarked for spending, and that will pay for propping-up the Allerton Oak in Calderstones Park (hardly a benefit to the residents of the new Gateacre housing estate)!