A ROW has flared over the ploughing of 10-acres of land described as a “lovely wildflower meadow.”
People living near the land on the Appleton-Stretton border, not far from St Matthew’s Church, claimed it was ploughed up without notice or consultation.
When they questioned English Partnerships – who own the site – they claimed they were told it had been ploughed “to keep people off it.”
But a spokesman for English Partnerships told Warrington Worldwide: “We ploughed the field because it is good land management.
“We are thinking of letting the land to a local farmer on a short term basis and it is good practice to turn it over to aerate the soil.
“It needs to be in good condition if we are to let it.”
Some nearby residents claimed the real reason for ploughing the field was to keep people off it – in particular some local youths who were using a corner for BMX biking.
One resident said: “There are far more suitable fields for farming nearby which have not been ploughed.
“This land is earmarked for housing, but not until 2015 at the earliest. In the present economic situation it could be much later.
“Why couldn’t they have left it for residents to enjoy its last few years before it is developed? It was a lovely meadow, a habitat for wildlife and it had a cycle way/footpath around the edge.”
Stretton councillor Paul Kennedy contacted English Partnerships after hearing of the ploughing.
He said: “They told me the land has been given a first plough prior to being let to a local farmer. There are no plans to build on the land at present and the earliest development is likely to take place is 2016.”
Coun Kennedy circulated about 300 homes in Stretton to keep them in touch with the situation.
