Cheshire Independent Issue 144

5 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2020 Visit our website: www.independentnewspapers.co.uk A FORMAL Consultation on the Alderley Edge Neighbourhood Plan (NDP) has been launched – with villagers getting the chance to say if its authors have ‘got it right’. The consultation will run until March 9. It is the next stage in the work being car- ried out to getting the plan, looking at the future of the village, agreed. During the last informal consultation last year vil- lagers and businesses in the area give the NDP “resound- ing support”. The NDP steering group says it has taken intoaccount some of the comments and suggestions in this lat- est draft. Sarah Greenwood, from the group, said: “We listened to the feedback from the consultation last summer, amended the plan accord- ingly and we think we’ve got the policies right, but we need the Alderley Edge com- munity to confirmthat. “The plan is now at its next stage – a formal pub- lic consultation known as Regulation 14.We’re grateful for all your support to date. “Even if you approved the plan in summer 2019, we still need you to reaffirm your support again as the Plan cannot be passed without evidence of public support.” The plan can be seen and comments made by visit- ing the NDP website www. AlderleyNP.com. Copies can also be seen at the library and Festival Hall or by con- tacting the steering group at alderleynp@gmail.com. The NDP has no powers to block new housing develop- ment. That lies in the hands of Cheshire East Council. Its Local Plan specifies where new homes should be built, and if necessary, releases CHESHIRE East Coun- cil held a poignant ser- vice of remembrance to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. A service at Sandbach Town Hall was marked with a powerful recollection of wartime experiences, read- ings, prayers and a fitting performance from the North Cheshire Jewish Primary School choir. It concluded with the lighting of candles and a two minutes’ silence, followed by prayers. The event was attended by council leader Sam Corcoran and deputy leader Craig Browne as well as the local authority’s acting chief executive Kath O’Dwyer. They were joined for the service by Kindertransport survivor Dr Peter Kurer, Rabbi Dovid Lewi, of Man- chester’s Bowdon Synagogue, Fr Michael Morton of St Winefride’s church in Sand- bach and the Mayor of Chesh- ire East Barry Burkhill. Cllr Corcoran said: “We will continue to remember the Holocaust and subsequent genocides and never forget the sheer horror and horren- dous acts that were commit- ted on so many men, women and children. “On this 75-year anniver- sary since the liberation of Auschwitz, I was pleased to see so many people from our local communities attend this event to honour the survivors and remember all victims of genocide. “I would like to thank Dr Kurer for his fascinating rec- ollection of his life’s journey and the efforts of the Quak- ers to save so many Jews in Nazi Europe. “I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Rabbi Lewis for reminding us all of the scale of the Holo- caust and the impact this had on so many families. “The quote from Virgil he referenced on a recent visit to the 9/11 museum in New York was particularly poign- ant: ‘No day shall erase you from the memory of time’.” Holocaust Memorial Day has taken place on the same date since it was introduced in 2001. January 27 was chosen as that was the date when the Nazis’ Auschwitz concentration camp was liber- ated by Soviet Troops in 1945. Service to remember victims of the Holocaust Poignant service: (L to R) Rabbi Dovid Lewis, leader of Cheshire East Council Sam Corcoran, Father Michael Morton, Dr Peter Kurer, Mayor of Cheshire East Barry Burkhill, deputy leader Craig Browne Plan authors ask: ‘Have we got it right? Green Belt to build themon. However,whattheNDPcan do is say what kind of houses should be built – for exam- ple calling for more starter homes, affordable homes or for smaller homes for people to downsize into. It can call for higher eco-standards to protect the environment. It cannot deliver more schools, polic- ing or medical facilities, but if new housing develop- ments are being built then developers are required to contribute to invest in local facilities. The plan also provides support for local businesses. Campaigners add that it pro- tects green spaces, sports andleisurefacilities.Andthey add that it specifies where the people would be willing to accept some additional car parking, which amajority still feel ismuch-needed. Sarah explained:“After this consultation, the plan will be reviewedindetailbyCheshire East Council, who will under- take their own consultation. “The NDP will then be submitted for independent inspection and we hope the referendum for the Alderley Edge Neighbourhood Development Plan will be later in 2020. “If there is a majority ‘Yes’ vote, the plan will be used to determine planning applica- tions in our village from then until 2030.”