Pie in the sky?

 

IN The Nantwich Chronicle of February 18, Cllr Bill McGinnis of Nantwich Town Council, described the Nantwich Walled Garden Society's ideas for the walled garden as "Pie in the Sky". Not surprisingly we don't agree. A letter has been sent to the Editor of The Nantwich Chronicle by our Secretary, Dr Nicola Booth. Unfortunately, it didn't make it into the March 4 edition - the day before Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council discussed the planning application from the Dowhills Group. Here is the text of Dr Booth's letter: 

 

 

Thank you for highlighting the Nantwich Walled Garden Society's efforts to save the old walled garden in your article on February 18th. However, there are a few points we would like to address.

   We do not accept the statement by Nantwich Town Council that development is the only viable option for this site and would like to point out that support from the Town Council for development is not unanimous.  

   In response to the specific comments by Cllr Bill McGinnis we would agree that the site is currently in a "terrible state" but this is purely because the various developers have done nothing to maintain the site, including the listed walls, since it was sold as part of the Kingsley Fields development.

   We have campaigned for Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council to put more pressure on the owners to restore and maintain the listed walls over the past few years but this has been to no avail. However, the local government ombudsman is monitoring the performance of the council in ensuring the owners face up to their responsibilities.

   Cllr McGinnis states that this developer's plans are an improvement as they would include the repair of the historic bee boles. These are an integral part of the listed walls and so any restoration or development would require this repair as a matter of course.

   Also, we are intrigued by the idea that it would cost £1m to buy the land. This is way above the current value put on the land by both the developers and our independent valuer.

   This plan is due to be discussed by Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council Planning Committee on the afternoon of Thursday 5th of March. Please lobby your borough councillors in order to save our town's unique heritage from destruction.  

ON THIS WEBSITE: tOpening pages tAGM tBackground tEnglish Heritage tThe garden tHistory tInaugural meeting tIntent tJoin us tLinks tNews tPhotos  tPress coverage tStory so far  tSupport  tWho's who?