IT WAS particularly disappointing that not one of the Borough Councillors (our elected representatives) on the Development Control Committee had the courage to raise a single word of support for saving the potentially beautiful historic Grade II Listed Nantwich Walled Garden for the benefit of the community.

   In view of the number of houses and flats that have been built in the Nantwich area, it did not seem that saving this one piece of our heritage, a potentially very beautiful garden, was too much to ask.

   Over 1,200 people and a substantial number of the leading local businesses have taken the time to write to the Borough Council or sign petitions objecting to this planning application and it would seem that all of these have been either ignored or dismissed - including at least two letters from our MP, Edward Timpson.

   What is the point of continuing to issue planning applications to the local community for comment? At what point would the Planning Department or Councillors take any notice of the comments from the local community? Would they respond to 5,000 or 10,000 letters of objection? Or is it actually true that the only time that Councillors show the slightest interest in the opinion of the public is during the run-up to an election?

   Future visitors to the area, coming to see the Grade II Listed Nantwich Walled Garden, will be horrified to see that the Council have allowed a developer to build right across this historic site and destroy the garden. The Town will become a laughing stock.

   Following this lamentable decision by the Development Control Committee, the Nantwich Walled Garden Society will be holding an Extraordinary General Meeting on April 6 to consider the next steps in the campaign to enable this part of our heritage to be protected and restored for the benefit of the whole community.