Thank you for highlighting the Nantwich Walled Garden
Society's efforts to save the old walled garden in your article on
February 18th. However, there are a few points we would like to address.
We do not accept the statement by Nantwich
Town Council that development is the only viable option for this site and
would like to point out that support from the Town Council for development
is not unanimous.
In response to the specific comments by
Cllr Bill McGinnis we would agree that the site is currently in a
"terrible state" but this is purely because the various developers have
done nothing to maintain the site, including the listed walls, since it
was sold as part of the Kingsley Fields development.
We have campaigned for Crewe and Nantwich
Borough Council to put more pressure on the owners to restore and maintain
the listed walls over the past few years but this has been to no avail.
However, the local government ombudsman is monitoring the performance of
the council in ensuring the owners face up to their
responsibilities.
Cllr McGinnis states that this developer's
plans are an improvement as they would include the repair of the historic
bee boles. These are an integral part of the listed walls and so any
restoration or development would require this repair as a matter of
course.
Also, we are intrigued by the idea that it
would cost £1m to buy the land. This is way above the current value put on
the land by both the developers and our independent valuer.
This plan is due to be discussed by Crewe
and Nantwich Borough Council Planning Committee on the afternoon of
Thursday 5th of March. Please lobby your borough councillors in order to
save our town's unique heritage from destruction.