COUNTRYSIDE campaigners are warning Lymm residents that a huge influx of HGVs could be headed their way if plans for a logistics and science park get the green light.

Private landowner Knutsford-based Tatton Estate is looking to create a ‘world class Science and Advanced Manufacturing Park’ sandwiching the A556.

The 53-hectare western site, accessed from Lymm Road, would be home to a logistics park and the 22-hectare eastern site, a science and technology park.

Tatton Estate said the development has the potential to accelerate the Northern Powerhouse, creating 2,500 jobs and attracting international investment in the region.

However, campaigners, primarily from the Little Bollington area, have spoken out against development, stating it is ‘the wrong thing in the wrong place’.

They have formed a group ‘Stop the Cheshire Gateway’ (SCG) and have vowed to fight the proposal.

“Everybody is hoping that the new A556 will bring relief from congestion but it is only going to get worse, with HGVs on the surrounding roads 24/7; it is going to put huge pressure on the infrastructure,” said Matthew Baxter, on behalf of SCG. 

“It sets an irreversible precedent, not only for further developments in Cheshire East but around the country.

“We are concerned about a number of issues, including pollution, traffic, wildlife, the green belt, history and heritage.

“People come from miles around to visit this area and now this Gateway will create an industrial, concreted landscape; this will have a devastating effect on local business and economy.”

The A556 is currently undergoing extensive remodelling as part of the multi-million pound improvement scheme by Highways England and Tatton Estate touted this as ‘reinforcing its strategic location’.

However, in a site selection report by Cheshire East Council, Highways England expressed concern that Cheshire Gateway would have a ‘detrimental impact upon the operation of the M56 heading north-eastbound toward Manchester, in particular the exacerbation of the existing delay which blocks back from the M60’.

With HS2 also planned to run south of the site, TEM said development of the site was ‘almost inevitable’.

Tatton Estate said Cheshire Gateway ‘sits at the heart’ of the primary growth strategies for the North West being advocated by the Cheshire, Warrington and Greater Manchester LEPs.

It stated that, although 75 hectares in size, less than 50 per cent of the overall site will be developed on by Tatton Estate. The remaining areas will be for the A556 works, which are currently taking place, significant areas of open space, ecological enhancements and landscaping.

Tatton Estate said it hopes that residents will be interested in 'understanding and contributing to the vision for Cheshire Gateway'.

A spokesperson for Tatton Estate said: “We hope that local people will be interested in understanding and contributing to the vision for Cheshire Gateway hopefully attracting influential businesses and creating 2,500 new high-value jobs in logistics, science and technology.

“Our vision would form part of a wider strategy of investment in the North and we have already seen strong levels of support from some of the most exciting businesses within the science and technology sectors who are wishing to locate or expand locally.

"We look forward to providing further details about the development shortly and working with the local communities to formulate these plans. We hope others will share in our excitement at what Cheshire Gateway could offer.”