United front on wartime camp site

COUNCILLORS are showing a united front over proposals for a housing development on a former wartime camp at Croft, Warrington.
Conservative councillor Sue Bland has supported calls by Labour councillor Chris Vobe for the coalition Government to intervene over the future development of the HMS Gosling site.
Planners have approved proposals by Elan Homes to build 25 four and five bedroom properties on the site on Lady Lane.
Local residents are furious over the decision and have slammed the council’s planning department for overlooking crucial details, including an infrastructure and drainage system which they believe will not support extra homes.
Cllr Vobe (pictured at the site) has called on the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport – Maria Miller MP – to intervene. He has written to her to call for the existing wartime training buildings to be added to the national List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, which are overseen by English Heritage.
Cllr Bland (pictured left) has counter-signed the letter to Mrs Miller.
Cllr Vobe said:“There can be no doubt that people in Croft are united in their desire to protect the land against this unwelcome development. Town Hall officers shamefully brushed aside the historic nature of the former HMS Gosling site in their briefing to councillors. That decision was unquestionably wrong.
“The Secretary of State has the power to add such sites to a national list of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. This would stop the development in its tracks, and grant English Heritage the power to maintain and restore the site in the long term. I believe, as do people in Croft, that HMS Gosling fits these criteria as it remains the only surviving wartime naval training camp in this area.
“David Cameron has often told us that, as part of his “Big Society”, local people should have a greater say in the future of their area. I am asking the Secretary of State to exercise the power she has to ensure that the wishes of nearly 400 Croft residents are placed above the developer.”
The letter, signed by both councillors calls on the Secretary of State to intervene as a matter of urgency, since planning permission for the additional homes has already been granted.
Cllr Vobe added “When it comes to important local issues, politicians of all parties should set aside their differences and work towards a solution for the community. That is responsible politics.
“It is also the duty of local councillors to act as conscientious representatives for their area. Although Cllr Bland and I disagree on many issues, she has chosen to back my calls for her Government to intervene on HMS Gosling. That is the right choice for Croft, and I believe it was the right choice to offer her a united approach on this matter.”