Watchdogs to probe land sale

TOWN Hall watchdogs are to hold a special meeting to consider controversial plans to sell off land for affordable housing.
Members of the borough council’s Sustainable Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OCS) will take place on Tuesday October 28.
Committee members will be considering a ‘call in’ of the decision taken by the executive board on September 15 to sell land at Chester Road, Stockton Heath for a nominal £1 for affordable housing.
Members of the public are able to attend the meeting, but are not allowed to speak during the debate.
The meeting will be in the council chamber at the Town Hall, Sankey Street.
Nearby residents are strongly opposed to the development on the grounds that the new homes will lead to increased traffic, a loss of amenity and may cause flooding problems. They point out the land, known locally as Cartwright’s Field, has been used for years as a playground for local children.
Stockton Heath Parish Council has objected to the housing plan, which has yet to come before the borough’s development control committee.
Residents have applied for the field to be designated a village green on the grounds it has been used by the public for more than 20 years.
A number of members of the borough council have “called in” the decision to sell the site – value at £1.6 million – for £1.
Members of the OCS can insist the executive board reconsider the proposal.