FURIOUS Chester residents have vowed to fight a proposed ‘mini-city’ which could see almost 1,000 homes built.}
Shocked householders have learned about plans to build an additional 500 homes at the already-controversial Saighton Camp development.
Developers Commercial Estates Group (CEG) has permission to build 375 homes, as well as 5,000 sq metres of employment development and 500 sqm of other commercial development, including shops and restaurants, a primary school and open space on former Army land.
And more than 100 homes were previously allowed on a separate part of the camp without objection, despite fears that the works would lead to increased traffic onto the Chester to Farndon B road.
A number of residents living in Great Boughton and Huntington have long raised concerns about the impact of increased traffic.
Work is now underway to replace the Boughton Heath (Sainsbury’s) Roundabout with a so-called ‘hamburger’ system.
But now Cheshire West and Chester Council spokesman Ian Callister has confirmed planners are engaged in preliminary talks with CEG over a proposal to build an additional 500 homes.
He said: “We are aware of CEG’s further interest in the Saighton Camp site and preliminary discussions have been held with the company.
“However, the council has highlighted its concerns of the impact that a development of this size would have on the current highways network and its ability to handle the very substantial traffic increase that would result.”
Mr Callister said no planning application had yet been received.
Helen Kerry, of Huntington, said residents and local politicians were uniting to form a community group to fight the latest proposal.
She said: “People from Huntington and Great Boughton are up in arms. At the meeting held last week at Caldy Valley Church there was a full house. We are all
very angry and quite adamant and we are going to fight any development.
“I think people have sat around so long, they’ve finally woken up and said we can’t have this mini-city. The developers are surprised at the strength of feeling in this community.”
Steve Fowler, of Trefoil Close, Huntington, added: “While the roundabout works is inconvenient, my major worry is the major development that will be made possible as a result of the work concerned.”
Ex-city MP Christine Russell, who led the fight against the Saighton Camp development during her time in office, said: “I’ve always said that while there should be no piecemeal development there should be a masterplan and CEG should get that approved instead of coming back for a bit more and a bit more.
“It’s imperative that the traffic arrangement does not put any additional traffic onto the local roads through Huntington and Boughton. They are already at peak capacity during rush hour.”
She added: “If any scheme does go ahead, then they should stick to the agreed policy of 40 per cent of the homes being affordable homes for local people.”
A CEG spokesperson said: "It is our intention to bring forward a planning application for the remaining part of the site at some point in the future. However, this is subject to discussions with the local planning authority regarding the impact of any such development and full public consultation with the local community would take place before any plans are submitted."
l A public meeting over the Saighton Camp development is to be held at Caldy Valley Church at 6.30pm on Thursday, July 21.