Bay Leaf ‘public consultation’ – a myth?

Hopefully you will have read our item last week on the proposed redevelopment of the Bay Tree Restaurant on Wellington Road in Bollington – “Redevelopment of the Bay Leaf is nothing short of insane” – http://www.ilovemacc.com/2015/07/08/6300/

Following publication we received a number of emails from concerned residents including an email from someone who had served as a lollipop man on the pedestrian crossing:

Unsurprisingly the vast majority of Bollington residents, at the public meeting held last Tuesday, appeared to be totally opposed to the plans.

However, it’s now being alleged that this was a done deal all along – and the ‘public consultation’ was just an exercise in massaging public opinion.

Our information is that Sainsbury’s (or their representatives) have advised Cheshire East planning officers that under current planning laws they could open a store without permission – which is true – but that running a store there without the alterations they are seeking would lead to massive traffic issues.

Of course if it was you or me we’d say go ahead – change the one-time pub into a store – but if delivery vehicles become an issue we’ll put double yellows outside. In fact I’d pre-empt the situation by putting them down now.

We’ve been advised that Cheshire East’s planning officers have accepted their possibly coercive argument and are going to recommend approval of the scheme.

Needless to say, being cynical, we have to beg the question whether Sainsbury’s would have gone ahead within the current limitations of the building – and I for one seriously doubt it.

A store could operate within the current building – but it would be a very small affair, not worth the effort – and there would be nowhere for the Bay Leaf restaurant to go.

There still has to be a formal planning application – and our advice to every sensible-thinking Bollington resident is to kick up a fire-storm of objection when the plans are submitted.

In Macclesfield we witnessed the approval of the Wilson Bowden Town Centre Redevelopment scheme by out-of-town councillors who neither knew, nor probably cared about Macclesfield’s fortunes.

Don’t let the same thing happen in Bollington.

Once the plans have been published, write to your local councillor – and copy your letter to MP David Rutley, members of Cheshire East northern planning committee – and anyone else who may exert any influence.

If this scheme goes ahead someone will be seriously injured – or worse.