SWATHES of the green belt could make way for a new logistics and science park south of Bowdon roundabout.

Private landowner Knutsford-based Tatton Estate is looking to create a ‘world class Science and Advanced Manufacturing Park’ sandwiching the A556, just south of Bowdon Roundabout.

The 53-hectare western site would be home to a logistics park and the 22-hectare eastern site, a science and technology park.

Tatton Estate said the development has the potential to accelerate the Northern Powerhouse, creating 2,500 jobs and attracting international investment in the region.

However, campaigners, primarily from the Little Bollington area, have spoken out against development, stating it is ‘the wrong thing in the wrong place’.

They have formed a group ‘Stop the Cheshire Gateway’ (SCG) and have vowed to fight the proposal.

The group is concerned that residents north of the border have been left in the dark, despite Bowdon sitting just half a mile from the site. Campaigner, Ged Mann, said developers told him Bowdon residents couldn’t be informed as the village ‘did not have a parish council’.

In a bid to raise awareness, SCG members have been canvassing homes across the Trafford-Cheshire border and launched two petitions, which have garnered almost 2,000 signatures of support.

“This is right on the doorstep of Bowdon residents,” said Matthew Baxter, on behalf of SCG.

“It sets an irreversible precedent, not only for further developments in Cheshire East but around the country.

“We are concerned about a number of issues, including pollution, traffic, wildlife, the green belt, history and heritage.

“People come from miles around to visit this area and now this Gateway will create an industrial, concreted landscape; this will have a devastating effect on local business and economy.”

Bowdon Roundabout is currently undergoing extensive remodelling as part of the multi-million pound A556 improvement scheme by Highways England and Tatton Estate touted this as ‘reinforcing its strategic location’.

However, in a site selection report by Cheshire East Council, Highways England expressed concern that it would have a ‘detrimental impact upon the operation of the M56 heading north-eastbound toward Manchester, in particular the exacerbation of the existing delay which blocks back from the M60’.

With HS2 also planned to run south of the site, TEM said development of the site was ‘almost inevitable’.

Campaigners have contacted a number of organisations in Bowdon and beyond to inform them of the scheme, including Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society.

"The society has been contacted by concerned amenity groups and residents around the Bowdon roundabout,” said Judie Collins, chair of Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society.

“We are hoping that Trafford Council is having discussions with Cheshire East and that we can be kept informed of developments. Meanwhile, we shall be making our own inquiries."

Bowdon councillors, including Leader of Trafford Council, Cllr Sean Anstee, were contacted by concerned Little Bollington residents.

Speaking to the Messenger, Cllr Anstee said: “The council’s present position is that we are unable to offer support for the proposals as they presently stand due to the potential conflict with the emerging Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) however have expressed a willingness to collaborate to find an appropriate solution. I think it is important we identify sites for employment use and future jobs growth in appropriate locations.”

Fellow ward member Cllr Michael Hyman reiterated this.

"The benefits of the proposals to Trafford, its residents and Greater Manchester as a whole, are not clear and a number of uncertainties remain,” he said.

“Given the site’s location on the edge of GM, it is critical to understand the scheme’s potential impacts on the emerging GMSF and, currently, these cannot be quantified.”

Tatton Estate said Cheshire Gateway ‘sits at the heart’ of the primary growth strategies for the North West being advocated by the Cheshire, Warrington and Greater Manchester LEPs.

It stated that, although 75 hectares in size, less than 50 per cent of the overall site will be developed on by Tatton Estate. The remaining areas will be for the A556 works, which are currently taking place, significant areas of open space, ecological enhancements and landscaping.

A spokesperson for Tatton Estate said: “We hope that local people will be interested in understanding and contributing to the vision for Cheshire Gateway hopefully attracting influential businesses and creating 2,500 new high-value jobs in logistics, science and technology.

“Our vision would form part of a wider strategy of investment in the North and we have already seen strong levels of support from some of the most exciting businesses within the science and technology sectors who are wishing to locate or expand locally.

"We look forward to providing further details about the development shortly and working with the local communities to formulate these plans. We hope others will share in our excitement at what Cheshire Gateway could offer.”

For more information about the ‘Stop the Cheshire Gateway’ campaign, click here.