Dear member,
I am writing to invite you to our AGM which will be held on Wednesday, 9th December, at 7.30pm, at the Crown Hotel, Nantwich, at which we need to discuss the future of our society.
   As you know, earlier this year the Development Control Committee of the former Crewe and Nantwich Borough
Council gave the developer Dowhills the go-ahead to build within the walled garden.

   Our only option seemed to be to mount a legal challenge to the decision and after lengthy discussion at an extraordinary general meeting in April we voted to attempt to proceed with a judicial review. Unfortunately we were unable to raise the necessary funds and had to abandon the case.
   Meanwhile, with the support of Edward Timpson MP, we approached Hazel Blears who was then the relevant minister, to see whether she would review the decision. However, she felt it was purely a local issue and did not wish to become involved.
   Similarly, English Heritage, the new Cheshire East Council and the local government ombudsman were unable to offer any help in reversing the planning situation.
   Currently the garden remains neglected and undeveloped, neither building work nor the preservation or restoration of the wall have started. We believe the council are in negotiations with the developer over the full terms of the planning consent and work may commence when this is completed, but the developers have five years from the planning decision before they have to do anything.
   So, as a society we now have a choice. We seem to have reached a dead end as far as challenging this decision goes but we could continue to press for the restoration of the listed walls. We could continue until the development actually starts just in case the developers have a change of heart or we can wind up the society.

   This is what we need to decide at the AGM.
   Whatever happens the currently envisaged development is a vast improvement on the original proposal and more sympathetic to the surroundings, so our efforts have not been in vain.
   Sadly, since the EGM in April two long-standing members of our society have died. Peter Green, who had been treasurer of the society since its inception, died suddenly shortly after the EGM. Pat Fulford the founder of the society and long time secretary died earlier this month after a long illness which had forced her to stand down last year.

   The society could not have achieved what it has without their great efforts and support over the years. We offer our condolences to all friends and family.

Nicola Booth
Secretary

 

The 2008 Annual General Meeting report