The site of new housing plans set in the Crewe and Nantwich green gap is a 59-year-old cattle burial ground, relating to the highly infectious foot-and-mouth disease outbreak of 1967.

In April, applicant, Redrow Homes North West submitted full planning for 188 properties on land to the north west of Crewe Road in Wistaston/Willaston.

Redrow says 30 per cent of these (57 dwellings) would be affordable, with new open space, planting walking and cycling routes, drainage infrastructure and a children's play area planned.

On the Facebook group 'Development of Land Behind Crewe Road, Wistaston - Planning Opposition,' created by Victoria Coghlan, angry residents have pointed out part of the site is an old cattle burial ground.

In 1967, a whole herd of cattle from Smithy House Farm was buried in the field immediately behind 383 to 379 Crewe Road.

This was a large diary herd affected by the animal transmitted foot-and-mouth disease outbreak at the time.

Foot-and-mouth disease spreads with deadly speed, affecting cattle, pigs, sheep and goats.

The outbreak of 1967-68 saw the slaughter of around 430,000 animals across 2,300 farms across the UK.

advertisement

In April, applicant, Redrow Homes North West submitted full planning for 188 properties on land to the north west of Crewe Road in Wistaston/Willaston (Photo: CEC Planning).

Crewe Road Planning Opposition Facebook group members said: "Building on a cattle burial ground, particularly one used for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) carcasses, is inadvisable without extensive rumination, as the carcasses can produce harmful, long-term leachate.

"While not inherently impossible, it requires thorough environmental risk assessments, planning permission and potential excavation."

Vehicular access for the scheme is intended via a priority-controlled T-junction onto Crewe Road, with a package of off-site highway works planned to improve the Crewe Road/Wistaston Road junction.

This includes the installation of a new puffin crossing, replacing the existing uncontrolled pedestrian refuge island.

Victoria said: "This is a group for local residents to discuss and co-ordinate opposition responses to the planned development of the land to the north west of Crewe Road, Wistaston.

"Sadly planning permission was submitted recently by Redrow Homes for 188 new houses.

"Let's work together to co-ordinate as many individual structured opposition responses to Cheshire East Council, the local councillors and the local MP.

advertisement

"The Cheshire East planning consultation deadline is Monday 1 June [extended]. Let's try to save our beautiful area from being destroyed by houses."