GREEN BELT APPLICATION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING SITE

I would like to alert residents to the fact that an outline planning application has been submitted for a development of nine affordable dwellings on land adjacent to Jenny Heyes, off Heyes Lane. If the application were to be approved, a subsequent application would be necessary to provide details of access, design and appearance of the proposed dwellings.

The location of the proposed development sits within the green belt; however, planning policies allow green belt development to be considered when exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated; a development of exclusively affordable housing is one of these exceptional circumstances and therefore the proposals cannot be automatically dismissed as "inappropriate development within the green belt".

As the proposed development site lies outside the Ward Boundary, the policies within the Alderley Edge Neighbourhood Plan do not apply and we shall have to rely on policies within the Wilmslow Neighbourhood Plan in order to either object to the proposals, or ensure that the most appropriate development possible at this location is delivered.

I am of the opinion that there are several areas where the development proposals do not comply with the Wilmslow Neighbourhood Plan, particularly Policy TH1 (ribbon development at gateway or entrance sites), Policy PR3 (connectivity to a safe and accessible pedestrian network), and Policy TA4 (connectivity to safe and well-lit sustainable travel routes for walking and cycling).

The application will be called in for consideration by Northern Planning Committee; however, I would invite residents of Alderley Edge to make their views known by responding to the consultation online, before Tuesday 5th December at planning.cheshireeast.gov.uk/applicationdetails.aspx?pr=23/4024M&query=d7cf0ad03535483aa94713ded390bafd&start=&from=m 

UPDATE ON WATER PRESSURE ISSUES AROUND THE RYLEYS LANE AREA

A number of residents have recently contacted me to report issues with low water pressure within their properties. After initially believing these issues were related to the works Cadent Gas have been carrying out in the area, I followed up residents' concerns with the Network Manager at Cheshire East Highways, who in turn has spoken to his counterpart at United Utilities.

After carrying out investigative works in the area, United Utilities have located a fault on a Pressure Management Valve (PMV), which measures water pressure and helps control water flows. In order to rectify the problem, they will need to carry out a major service of the PMV and this will involve the installation of traffic signals and temporary suspension of the pedestrian crossing on Ryleys Lane.

Recognising Ryleys Lane as a key walking route for school children, as well as its proximity to Alderley Edge Community Primary School, United Utilities intend to carry out the works outside school hours. It is anticipated that the temporary suspension of the crossing will commence from 18.00 hours on Friday and that works will be completed before midnight.

United Utilities are hopeful that this will address the water pressure issues that residents in the area have been experiencing; however, they have also asked me to highlight that most water bursts are down to ground conditions and movement and can happen at any time.  

FOOTWAY TO CLOSE FOR BOWLING HUT REPAIRS

I am pleased to confirm that repairs to the Bowling Hut at Alderley Edge Playing Fields have been scheduled between Thursday 16th November and Friday 22nd December. During this period, the footpath leading from Redesmere Drive to the Playing Fields will be closed for safety reasons and there will be no pedestrian access to the Lakes Estate.

Primarily, the works will involve the replacement of the roof, which will require scaffolding to be erected around the Bowling Hut. The works will also include replacement fascias, soffits and gutters, which collectively are expected to take in the region of five weeks to complete, although every effort will be made to re-open the footpath as soon as possible.

Posters giving advance notice of the works have recently been put up around the Playing Fields and I would like to express my thanks to ANSA Parks Maintenance and Cheshire East Property Team for prioritising this work. The current Bowling Hut has been in place since 1987, after the previous wooden-construction was destroyed by fire.

OUTDOOR GYM EQUIPMENT OFFICIALLY UNVEILED

Earlier today I was joined by the Chair of Alderley Edge Parish Council, Cllr Rachael Grantham, fellow Parish Councillors, Cllr Bev Chapman & Cllr Ali Bates, along with Eddy Yoxall (Parks Project Manager, ANSA) and local resident Pam Smith at the formal unveiling of our new outdoor gym equipment in Alderley Edge Playing Fields.

The project, delivered as part of the Park Masterplan by Cheshire East Council, includes the installation of six pieces of outdoor gym equipment, two new steel accessible picnic benches, soft surfacing and a further refurbished picnic table made from recycled plastic. The project costs are £16,000 including installation, which have been funded through s.106 monies and a £4,000 contribution from the Parish Council.

The formal ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by the Chair of Alderley Edge Parish Council, Cllr Rachael Grantham. I am delighted to see this project, which I have been working on for approximately 16 months, finally come to fruition. I hope local residents will enjoy using the equipment, two pieces of which are designed to be disabled accessible, as well as the improved seating area next to the bandstand.

COMMUNITY SURGERY - SATURDAY 24TH JUNE, 11AM

I am pleased to confirm that I will be holding my first community surgery of this electoral term (following my recent re-election in May), at Alderley Edge Library this Saturday morning. 

I introduced the idea of a community surgery eight years ago, following my election as Ward Councillor in 2015 and over that time a number of residents have taken advantage of the opportunity to come along and speak to me face-to-face about matters that are causing them concern.

For any resident who would like to speak to me but isn't available this Saturday, I can confirm that I will be holding a surgery on the last Saturday of each month, starting at 11am for the foreseeable future.

CCTV SYSTEM HELPS POLICE APPREHEND BURGLARS

CCTV operated by Cheshire East Council and funded by Alderley Edge Parish Council has played a key role in assisting police following a spate of burglaries in Alderley Edge & Wilmslow. Working out of our CCTV Control Room at Macclesfield, camera operators received reports of a burglary at West Bank, Alderley Edge; by scanning the adjacent area, they were able to track the offenders going back to their vehicle and hence, pass on the images and details to the police.

Stuart Hobson, CCTV Control Room Manager at Cheshire East Council said "our CCTV footage has now been placed on Facebook by the police and shows that without us locating them, the police would have had nothing to go on. Although we are regularly involved in these kinds of operation, it is not often that it makes the headlines; however, I like to think that this shows the vital work the CCTV Service carry out 24 hours per day to help people feel safer across our borough."

SOUTH STREET SHARED SPACE PARKING SCHEME

Cheshire East Council has introduced a "Shared Space Parking Scheme" on South Street, close to the centre of Alderley Edge, in response to concerns expressed by a number of nearby residents. As a result of the scheme, businesses and visitors to South Street will continue to be able to park in the limited waiting on-street bays for up to two hours; however, residents of South Street who are in possession of a valid permit will be able to park without restriction.

A number of residents had contacted me to ask whether I could help, as none of them has access to any private off-road parking. Following a consultation of all residents and businesses on South Street, it was decided to introduce a "shared space" scheme, which I have funded through my 2022/23 Ward Member Budget. I am particularly pleased that as part of the scheme we have been able to create one or two additional parking spaces on South Street and George Street, to support the nearby businesses.

A key distinction between this scheme and the "Residents' Parking Scheme" introduced in Clifton Street, Lydiat Lane & Carlisle Street a few years ago (prior to my election in 2015) is that non-residents of South Street will continue to be able to use the on-street bays for up to two hours.

Acoustic Camera Pilot to be Extended

Residents will recall that in October 2022, acoustic cameras were installed on Pendleton Way, Alderley Edge, on the approach to the Whitehall Bridge Roundabout. This was part of a pilot initiative supported by the Police & Crime Commissioner and Cheshire East Highways.

Whilst there are no legal limits on vehicle noise, vehicles are manufactured not to exceed 84dB (for cars) and 86dB (for motorcycles) unless illegal modifications are made. I can now reveal that over the period from 1st October to 31st December 2022, there were 239 breaches at this location.

Following the success of the initial pilot, the scheme is now being extended by a further three months, during which time Cheshire East Council, working together with Cheshire Police and other members of the Road Safety Partnership, will give consideration to introducing a Public Space Protection Order.

A Public Space Protection Order enables breaches of these noise limits to be legally enforced across a clearly defined geographic area, with fines of up to £100 for a first offence and up to £1,000 for a second or subsequent offence capable of being issued.

In addition, a 20mph zone with associated traffic calming measures has recently been introduced in Alderley Edge village centre. Associated with this project, large scale road resurfacing has been carried out on London Road and Ryleys Lane, taking advantage of the road closures and permits that were in place.

IMPLEMENTATION OF 20MPH ZONE W/C MONDAY 23RD JANUARY

I am delighted to share the news that the implementation of this project will begin on 23rd January. This follows several rounds of public consultation, during which the vast majority of residents, as well as all three village schools, the Parish Council and Cheshire Police have endorsed the proposals. Whilst there will inevitably be some inconvenience as the speed tables are being constructed, Cheshire East Highways will do its utmost to minimise this, for example by carrying out the works on Ryleys Lane during the February half-term. I believe this is an important project, which will not only help improve road safety around our local schools, but also contribute to a calmer and more pleasant environment in the centre of our village.

The majority of the works will be possible using traffic signals; however, temporary road closures will need to be in place at certain times. Over the course of the next few days, Cheshire East Highways will be engaging directly with directly affected residents and businesses, to make them aware. The works will necessitate the installation of a new drainage connection on London Road, close to the junction with Brown Street and depending upon the nature of the connection, is seen as the key risk to the timescale outlined. I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the project is being financed through Section 106 funds, which have been raised on historic developments within Alderley Edge, rather than from the Council's capital/revenue budgets.

A detailed Schedule of Works is set out below:

• 23/01 – 30/01 (6 days)
• 20mph signage works across whole scheme, signs will be covered over until completion and removed once the legal order is sealed.
• Traffic management - stop and go boards

• 30/01 – 08/02 (10 days)
• London Road near junction with Heyes Lane to construct raised table at crossing point.
• Traffic management – temporary traffic signals
• NB - access/egress at steps leading to/from Waitrose Car Park will be closed during this period

• 08/02 – 17/02 (10 days)
• London Road near junction with Brown Street to construct raised table at crossing point
• Traffic management – temporary traffic signals 

• 11/12 – 12/02 (2 days)
• London Road laying final surface layer on raised table, resurfacing approaches and install speed table on Congleton Road outside De Trafford Arms and road lining at new traffic calming features
• Traffic Management - road closure

• 18/12 – 26/02 (9 days) SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
• Ryleys Lane installing two raised tables including one close to Alderley Edge Primary School, the other outside The Ryleys School, resurfacing approaches and road lining at new traffic calming features
• Traffic management – road closure

• 27/02 – 28/02
• Wilmslow Road outside Alderley Edge School for Girls, installing pair of bolt down speed cushions
• Traffic management – temporary traffic signals off-peak (after school has opened)

If the programme goes well then every effort will be made to include the works outside Alderley Edge School for Girls during the school holidays.