Cheshire East has given the go-ahead for a $ 73 affordable home ownership program on the site of the former LMR club in Crewe.
The plan has been delayed because of a dispute over a soccer field that used to be in the now-derelict land on Goddard Street, which Sport England points out will have to be replaced when the houses are being built elsewhere.
The Guinness partnership that is building the houses is said to be paying £ 80,000 to compensate for the loss of the pitch, but council officials had stated there was no suitable location in Crewe and recommended the money be used to improve the Sutton Lane Playing Fields at. to use Middlewich.
The Southern Planning Committee argued that the money had to be spent in Crewe and the request was put on hold at its August meeting.
At the meeting of the committee last Wednesday as well as the Middlewich recommendation an alternative option for the section 106 money [the £80,000] has been suggested – to be held for up to five years to allow a site to stand out in the Crewe area.
Cllr Conner Naismith asked, “Since no location has been identified … how does the official think a location could arise in the next five years?”
Planner Dan Evans said: “Sport seems to have given England a bit of leeway as they talk about it not having to be spent on football.”
Several councilors said they are in favor of the 100 percent affordable housing program – and the only problem was the S106 money.
Previous concerns about parking and bicycle parking have been addressed by the social housing provider.
Cllr Jill Rhodes said, “I am sorry for the applicant because they presented a viable plan and much-needed affordable housing and I cannot support the loss of this S106 money to Middlewich.
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“I could support the five-year hold, but I think I would look for a change in pitch strategy and that Ansa and Green Spaces are actually actively looking for a place to put that money in Crewe.”
Middlewich City Councilor Mike Hunter said, “Personally, I’ve always believed, and people in Middlewich think the same, 106 money should be spent on the areas that the building application is relevant to, and that money is relevant to Crewe.
“As much as I would love it in my city, it is not relevant to my city.”
How far do you live from your next soccer field? let us know in the comments.
At the beginning of the meeting, local councilor Anthony Critchley, who spoke as guest councilor, was snappy in his criticism of the council and Ansa and their search for a suitable location in Crewe.
He said he had been invited to a stakeholder meeting to have further discussion on possible options.
“I think my time would probably have been better spent painting the front room or taking a walk since there was a lack of productivity,” said the Crewe Central councilor.
Regarding the five-year option, he said, “Call me skeptical, but I think we can safely say that there will be no proactive efforts by Cheshire East, be it Green Spaces or Ansa, to find such suitable locations. ”
And he said if officials thought Sport England would not accept the money being withheld for five years, then why is it being proposed and why is it even on the report for you? [the committee] to consider this morning ‘?
Planning officer Dan Evans replied, rewinding a list of Crewe locations that had been considered and reasons why none were suitable.
When asked if Sport England would accept the five-year holding period on the S106 money, which has also been questioned by some committee members, he said, “We are at the point where negotiations have been going on for so long … and when “Sport England would like to forward the application to the Secretary of State, then you have the opportunity to do so.”
None of the discussions related to the program itself – which includes 42 self-contained apartments and 31 houses – everything revolved around the S106 money.
The application was approved on condition that the S106 money be withheld for up to five years in order to find a suitable location in Crewe.