A PROJECT manager of a controversial housing development close to Jodrell Bank has gone head to head with boffins over their objections to the plan.

Congleton based builder Gladman Developments has applied for planning permission to build 119 dwellings on land off Main Road, Goostrey.

The plan has already been met with a wave of objections from residents, Twemlow Parish Council, Holmes Chapel School and Sixth Form College and Holmes Chapel Health Centre, which believes it could not cope with a sudden influx of youngsters.

However, the developer has now challenged the experts at Jodrell Bank, to provide them with evidence to bac up their claims, in objecting to the development on the 18 acre Swanwick Hall site..

The scientists had complained to planners about potential radio interference from electrical devices.which they said would interfere with the telescope.

Professor Simon Garrington told the Guardian in February; "The astronomers estimate that, if approved the development would increase background interference levels by 10 per cent to a level exceeding an internationally agreed threshold for 'detrimental interference' to radio astronomy observations.".

He added: Many housing proposals don't cause problems. It's the ones that are largest and closest that are the most dangerous."

However, in a strongly worded letter earlier this month to Cheshire East Council, the firm's assistant project manager Rebecca May, wants to see the first hand evidence to back up Jodrell Bank's claims of interference.

Ms May said: "Gladman has made several requests to Jodrell Bank to release its modelling data on which the formal objection to the planning application is based.

According to Ms May the firm met with Prof Garrington in Feburary, at which he gave a slide presentation on the objections, which she says he subsequently 'refused' to release to Gladman.

She added: "Jodrell Bank has not released any evidence to substantiate its objection to our planning application that the proposed housing development at Goostrey will result in unacceptable impairment to the operation of the telescope."