You don’t need to look too far these days to see examples of the pressure the need for new homes is putting on our countryside and communities. Towns and villages are changing rapidly.
For decades we have both engaged constructively with development plans to ensure that nature is protected from damaging development and vigorously opposed proposals that will harm our finest wildlife sites such as Lodge Hill in Kent - home to our most important population of nightingales. These issues have been at the forefront of our thinking in Cheshire where the future of some land generously bequeathed to us by Mrs Rhead has been at the heart of our commitment to honour the terms of her will and at the same time achieve this in the face of a massively changed demand for housing in the area.
Two planning applications will now be submitted which are closely linked. It is proposed that part of the land will be transferred to Somerford Parish Council which will be held in perpetuity as a Community Nature Park and public open space and protected from future development. Through all of this we've been advised by Rees Straw Chartered Surveyors
In developing this proposal we have worked closely with the Parish Council, who’ve been delighted with the constructive and positive discussions: Geoff Bell, Chairman of Somerford Parish Council is delighted at the outcome. ’ Mrs Rhead’s land will become a diamond within a sea of development that is changing the character of our community. We have welcomed the opportunity to work constructively with the RSPB to save this precious corner of our area for wildlife and the benefit of local people’
The second area is proposed to be sold to contribute as part of a much wider housing development. The wildlife value within the development area will be significantly enhanced, with ponds and grassland, which will be paid for and maintained in perpetuity by the developers (or at their cost). The development pressure in the wider area meant that the status quo wasn’t an option as it would make it difficult to farm economically. If left unmanaged would be likely to attract anti-social behaviour and lose any remnant wildlife value.
This way forward allows us to have the majority of the land managed for nature, paid for by a small area of development, while also benefiting nature elsewhere. With the help and support of Somerford Parish Council we believe we have found an approach and a vision for this patch of Cheshire countryside which will be a lasting and permanent celebration of the life of Mrs Rhead and her love of nature.
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