Quietly, and during the Covid-19 pandemic/national emergency, developers and the land owner (David Wilson Homes and the Duchy of Lancaster), have lodged plans to cram in 148 homes, on land directly adjoining the Crewe Green roundabout. This large number of homes are proposed to be built on a small piece of land directly adjoining a major roundabout, at a key and very busy gateway into Crewe.  This is green agricultural land, which has a right of way on it. Green Spaces 4 Crewe Green Residents and Stakeholders Group are concerned about this for a number of reasons, including:

1. That the proposed development breaches environmental policies (as per the National Policy Planning Framework, 2019), including in relation to traffic and congestion, air pollution and health and wider environmental risks.

2. That the development damages amenities likely to support health and wellbeing, i.e. by decreasing green space and traditional pathways and byways enjoyed for many years by local residents and other walkers and people using the countryside in the area (enjoyment of traditional land use). [Remember that this end of Crewe has no designated park, meaning that the paths and bridleways are important to anyone wanting to exercise here. Furthermore, during Covid-19 we have come to be aware of just how vital walking and getting out and about is to physical and mental health.

3. It will have negative impacts on ecosystems of losing green space on animal, bird and insect species, flora and fauna, and the wider environment.

4. It will have negative impacts on local service provision and access to Medical Practices and other health facilities and schools because of increased numbers and no more resource for service infrastructure.

5. There will be major effects on road infrastructure and safety, causing tailbacks, congestion, pollution and possibly accidents.  Road traffic has already increased enormously since the roundabout was enlarged in 2017-2018 and when new houses were build in other parts of Crewe - especially further along Sydney Road and into Leighton, which have caused knock-on effects in terms of ease of access and egress, especially for local residents living on or off Sydney Road, Hungerford Road, Haslington and other adjacent areas.

6. That consultation processes have failed to adequately communicate to the public this proposed development and have chosen to do this during the Covid-19 pandemic, a time of national emergency, which is morally and ethically unacceptable.