Cheshire Independent Issue 219

OCTOBER 2026 2 EDITOR: MikeHulme - mike@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING: RobinAtkins - robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk Tel. 07767 840274 CLASSIFIED: JayneMeadowcroft - jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk Tel. 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 CONTACT US No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2026. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. Tel. 01204 478812 SANDBACH Heath hotel, which has housed asylum seekers for almost six years, is being closed down. The Chimney House Hotel was one of 13 across the country the Government announced for closure. Congleton constitu- ency MP Sarah Russell described the closure as “an important milestone” in the Government’s commitment to ending the use of hotels for asy- lum seekers. The announcement followed the closure of the Crewe Arms Hotel which became a target for anti-immigration and counter demonstrations last autumn. In 2020 Chimney House was hous- ing almost 60 asylum seek- ers, placed there by Serco, the company used by the then Government. In February, MP for Crewe and Nantwich Con- nor Naismith wrote to the then Government minis- ter for border security and asylum, Alex Norris, with “deep concerns” about the dignity and well-being of the asylum seekers who had been housed there. He said: “These facili- ties were never intended for long-term accommoda- tion, and the lack of suit- able infrastructure has resulted in challenges for both residents and those housed in the hotels. “This arrangement fails to provide stability, inte- gration and support that asylum seekers need while they await the outcome of their claim. “I would like to thank Refugees Welcome Chesh- ire East and our local churches for the support they provided to Chim- ney House residents, and their wider work within our community,” she said. “I know the use of hotels and the backlog in asylum cases concern many residents. Effective immigration manage- ment depends on a system that can process claims promptly and fairly, and I will continue to raise that with ministers.” A LANDMARK Congle- ton church that closed its doors to worshippers two years ago could be brought back into public use as a wedding and events venue under new plans submitted to Cheshire East Council. FST Property has applied for permission to convert the former United Reformed Church, Antrobus Street, into a mixed-use community and events space. The Grade II listed build- ing, which sits within the town centre conservation area, has stood largely empty since the congregation merged with another church in the diocese. A planning statement sub- mitted by Holme Planning Partnership said the proposal would “secure the viable reuse of a long-standing vacant building” and deliver “much- needed community space” in the heart of the town. The church, a part three-storey building with mezzanine levels, previously operated as a place of worship with community functions. Part of the lower ground floor already has permission for storage and distribution use, having been used for the sale of antiques. The applicants said the decline in attendance meant the church could no longer sustain the building, which has been on the market for a “protracted period” without attracting a buyer. Under the plans, the main hall would host non-religious wedding ceremonies and receptions, evening enter- tainment, and a range of community activities includ- ing toddler groups, exercise classes, reading groups and support sessions. The statement said the new use would be “similar to that which has been on site previ- ously”, with the evening enter- tainment element being the main addition. “While there may be a per- ceived material change in the use of the site, in reality, the property will continue to function in much the same way as it did previously, with the evening entertainment ele- ment being the main addition to the site. “The proposals ensure that the public can continue to access and benefit from the building, and ensures that the property can remain in an active and viable use into the future.” The plan said that only limited physical changes were proposed. PERSONAL trainer Mar- cus Morris ran 50 miles from Burnley to Mac- clesfield in memory of his father. His next journey, by car four days later, was to Gretna Green to marry his girl- friend Sarah. Marcus was joined by close friend Rio Jackson on his 11-hour marathon run from Pendleside Hospice to East Cheshire Hospice. His dad Marcus Ifield had spent his final weeks as a patient at the Macclesfield hospice last November. The security guard, 56, had been diagnosed with brain tumours 14 months before. He was already gravely ill by the time he saw granddaugh- ter Athena, now two. Marcus raised almost £1,500 for the two hospices from his challenge. He said: “I felt emotional and exhausted afterwards. I live near Pendleside Hospice which gets a lot of support. “Once I went in there and saw how a hospice works it made me even more deter- mined to raise funds. “I know it’s the same at East Cheshire where I saw what they did for my dad. “I’ve done all sorts of mad stuff in the past like jumping out of aeroplanes and I just wanted to use my fitness to give something back.” Marcus completed a mara- thon several years ago, but this was the furthest he had run. Sarah drove to various meeting points along the route with energy drinks. He said: “This was my big- gest physical challenge, but the toughest mentally was a par- achute jump from 15,000 feet because I’m scared of heights.” FARMERS took to their tractors to protest the Peak Cluster plans. East Cheshire Action Against CCS (carbon capture and storage) have been reflecting on the success of a community tractor run. The campaign group organised the event to raise awareness of the proposed 121-mile CO2 pipeline that would con- nect the Peak District with the Irish sea, passing through Cheshire East. They say the project could result in ‘serious disruption’ for landowners and farmers, highlighting concerns over com- pulsory purchase orders and the poten- tial loss of homes, land and livelihoods. Paul Smith, chair for East Cheshire Action Against CCS, said: “The turn- out showed just how strongly people care about our countryside, our farm- ing communities and the future of East Cheshire. “This event was about bringing people together, raising awareness and making sure farmers, landowners and residents know that support is out there.” The event brought together nearly 30 tractors at its height, travelling almost 40 miles through villages and towns across Cheshire East. Tractors set off from Dandy Farm in Prestbury and from Adlington, before passing through Bollington, Prestbury, Mottram St Andrew, Alderley Edge and Macclesfield. The convoy stopped at The Harrington Arms for refreshments before continu- ing through Eaton, Marton, Siddington, Lower Withington and Holmes Chapel, finishing at Bidlea Dairy. There, more than 100 people joined the end-of-run event, with supporters gathering for a BBQ and some Bidlea Dairy ice cream. Mr Smith added: “We are extremely grateful to everyone who took part, whether they joined the tractor con- voy, walked, ran, volunteered, hosted, donated or came along to the final gath- ering at Bidlea Dairy. “The strength of community support was clear throughout the day.” A DRUG dealer from Macclesfield has been jailed. Aaron Bradley appeared at Chester Crown Court, where he was sentenced to 45 months in prison. The 35-year-old, of Somerton Road in Macclesfield, had earlier pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, namely cocaine, and possession of class B drugs, namely cannabis. Following the sentencing Detective Constable Jamie Roberts, said: “While Bradley is now behind bars, our campaign against drug dealers is ongoing and we’re committed to doing all we can to can to stop drug activity on the streets of Mac- clesfield and make Cheshire a hostile place for criminals. “We will always act on any informa- tion about drug activity provided to us and would urge anyone who believes this activity is happening near to them, to please contact us on 101 or visit www. cheshire.police.uk/tell-us .” The case against him began in May, when police were called to reports of a disturbance at a hotel on Gawsworth Road, Congleton. Staff reported that the occupants were due to check-out at 12pm, but instead they had barricaded themselves inside the room. Son’s touching tribute to late dad Marcus Morris and Rio Jackson take a well-earned break after their 50-mile run. (Image: East Cheshire Hospice) New plans for former church Drug dealer behind bars Council to clamp down on anti-social car drivers CHESHIRE East Council is clamping down on anti-social drivers following repeated incidents across the borough. Street racing, wheel-spins, engine rev- ving, loud music and large gatherings of vehicles have led to numerous complaints from local communities and businesses who are being impacted by this anti-so- cial behaviour. The council is now proposing to put in place a borough-wide public space pro- tection order (PSPO), which could see anti-social drivers receiving fines of up to £1,000, and has today launched a four- week consultation. If approved, the order would be in place from 9 November 2026 and initially last three years. Councillor David Jefferay, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for environment, sustainability and waste management, said: “We’re seeing a rise in reports of anti-social driving and this type of behaviour goes beyond just ‘noise’ – it’s behaviour that causes distress for local residents and puts people in danger. It simplywon’t be tolerated anymore. “In some cases, organised gatherings of cars are attracting large crowds, which then cause further disruption for our resi- dents and businesses. “We have identified some areas of Cheshire East where this area is type of anti-social behaviour is happening more often, including the A34 corridor, A523 Silk Road, Congleton Bypass (A54) and JackMillsWay inCrewe (A532), but it’s also happening elsewhere. “Putting the PSPO in place across the whole borough will deter people from simplymoving on to another area.” If introduced, anyone failing to com- ply with the PSPO could be fined or, for more serious and repeated breaches, face prosecution. The consultationon theproposedPSPO has opened and will close at 5pm on Wednesday 14October. Farmers take to tractors in protest Asylum hotel to close