Chelford Parish Council is consulting with residents and landowners who have property which is adjacent to the land currently held by the Crown Estate in and around the Dixon Drive estate. This land was previously owned by Seddon Properties Ltd (the developer who built the estate).
This consultation forms part of a process which would potentially enable the Parish Council to purchase the land for the benefit of the community. There are no plans to change the land or any public access to the land. Green spaces would remain open for everyone to use. Parts of the land form the roads within the estate and these would remain the responsibility of Cheshire East Council, as the Highway Authority.
A consultation of this nature leads to lots of questions being raised – and these are welcomed by the Parish Council – however, below is a list of some of the common ones which have already been raised, together with the answers, which you may find helpful. This list is likely to be updated as more questions are received. (Click the + next to each question to reveal the answer.)
The land is in and around the Dixon Drive estate. It is the areas shaded yellow on the consultation map.
The purchase price has not yet been determined by The Crown Estates, however, we are led to believe that this may be a nominal sum.
The Parish Council plan to fund the purchase cost from existing reserves.
Chelford Parish Council will be the title holder.
No, the land would be within the ownership of Chelford Parish Council.
Chelford Parish Council would be responsible for maintenance of much of the land, however, areas which form part of the highway (i.e. the carriageway and verges) would remain the responsibility of Cheshire East Council as the Highway Authority. Maintenance of green spaces which are currently mown by Cheshire East Council would likely transfer to the Parish Council at a future date. Costs have yet to be fully determined as there are a number of assessments that will need to be undertaken.
No precept increase is proposed to cover the process to acquire the land. In the future, there may be an increase in precept associated with the ongoing maintenance of the land, however, subject to the outcome of surveys and any initial remedial works required, it is not anticipated that this will be a significant sum. Bearing in mind that two new developments are expected within the Parish in the relatively near future the increase in council tax base may mitigate much of any increase.
There are no plans to change any access / public use of the land.
There are no plans to sell or transfer the land. The land would be in the ownership of Chelford Parish Council.
There are no plans to sell the land, however, in the unlikely event that the land were sold any sums arising would be received by the Parish Council. The Parish Council would then choose how to use the funds e.g. to subsidise future precepts or to invest in other projects.
No, the public right of way will remain open for public use. The Parish Council would, however, be able to undertake maintenance work to keep the path fit for purpose.
Yes! Whilst the current consultation has been guided by the requirements of the Crown Estate, the Parish Council welcome feedback from all residents of the parish.
If you have received a consultation letter in the post please respond using the form provided if you have no objections or use the envelope provided to send us objections / comments.
If you haven’t received a consultation letter in the post please use the following form to send us your comments: