Scene of controversy viewed from Hawkhurst Head: Greenfield site, including C9, beyond the group of houses in lower picture

Controversial building plans for Whaley Bridge made headlines on BBC North West’s local news for the second time on Wednesday 23 April.  Viewers saw Kevin Worthington, chair of the campaign group Whaley Bridge Matters and another group member, Barry James.

On TV news: Kevin Worthington, chair of Whaley Bridge Matters, left, with BBC TV NorthWest reporter Mark Edwardson

Mr Worthington spoke about the approximately 700 letters of protest that went from Whaley Bridge to High Peak Borough Council during discussions on the Local Plan, which now includes site C9.  A final consultation is still to come on the plan.

A subsequent planning application from Gladman Developments to build a 100-plus estate on much of the C9 site is now being considered by High Peak planners.  Mr Worthington has urged local people, who may already have objected to C9 to repeat their concerns for the separate Gladman plan.  The deadline is 29 April.

In the BBC programme, Mr James said there were brownfield sites that could be used instead of a Greenfield site.

Whaley Bridge’s concerns over housing led to a protest march last February. An interview with Cllr Martin Thomas, chair of Whaley Bridge Town Council, was broadcast as part of the BBC North West news coverage of the event.