Plans to protect Cheshire's Jodrell Bank take step forward

Cheshire East has given the go ahead for a public consultation on plans to protect Jodrell Bank from potential harm from future planning development.

Members of the environment and communities committee voted unanimously on Thursday to approve the draft Jodrell Bank Observatory supplementary planning document for four weeks of public consultation.

Paul Bayley, director of environment and neighbourhood services, told the committee: “This supplementary planning document is at the start of its journey, and it seeks approval to carry out the first round of public consultation on the draft Jodrell Bank Observatory supplementary planning document.

“The Jodrell Bank Observatory and its buffer zone of operations was designated as a World Heritage site on July 7, 2019.

“This supplementary planning document aims to give clarity to developers, landowners and communities to ensure that the efficacy of the telescopes, historic environment and visual landscape setting of the telescopes across the World Heritage Site are not harmed, and the specialised construction techniques that may be required for development in this area.”

Jodrell Bank is a scientific leader in its field and an important asset to the visitor economy in Cheshire East.

Mr Bayley said the document was jointly prepared by teams within the council and Manchester University.

“The recommendations are that the committee approve publication of the draft Jodrell Bank Observatory supplementary planning document for four weeks of public consultation and approve publication of the associated strategic environmental assessment, habitats, regulations assessment screening report and equalities, impact assessments screening report,” he said.

The vote was passed unanimously without debate. No date was given for the start of the consultation.

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