Feb 8 2012
by Will Harris, Crewe Chronicle

SHOCKED villagers are furious that more than 43 homes could be dumped on their doorstep to fund repairs to an historic tourist attraction.

Residents living in Aston are battling plans to build new houses in a field off Sheppenhall Lane.

Planning officers have recommended approval for the ‘enabling scheme’ which could generate around £2m to fix Combermere Abbey’s dilapidated north wing.

Abbey owner Sarah Callander Beckett has long-sought finance to restore the Grade-I listed building, which is currently at the highest priority level on English Heritage’s ‘At Risk’ register.

If passed, the finance from the sale of the 43 houses, which includes five affordable homes, would be used solely on the north wing’s repair.

But angry residents have rallied against the plans.

A petition of 268 signatures has been submitted to planners and more than 40 letters of objection received.

A multitude of fears have been expressed, including poor infrastructure, sewer issues, local schools at full capacity, access on to the A530 Whitchurch Road at a notorious junction and ecology matters.

Newhall parish councillor Tony Gentil, said: “I don’t think anyone is disputing the fact that Combermere Abbey has every right to be repaired.

“But why build here? There’s probably about 20 acres on the estate that would be perfectly suitable with better access and infrastructure than at Sheppenhall.

“If the owners were to withdraw the application and put in for the land next to the business park there, that would be win-win for everybody.”

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “We’re absolutely up in arms, it’s gone against the whole of the village.

“When a similar scheme came up in 2005, the Secretary of State rejected it, saying the benefits of restoring the Abbey did not outweigh the disbenefits – for us nothing’s changed.”

More than 50 letters of support for the proposals have been received – though many are from outside South Cheshire.

In his report, the planning officer states he considers an enabling development ‘necessary to secure the restoration of the Abbey’.

“It is considered that the benefits of the enabling development would outweigh the level of harm that would be generated,” he adds.

The application was to be determined at a Strategic Planning Board meeting today (Wednesday, February 8).