Cheshire East Council Resubmits Controversial Poynton Pool Spillway Plan for November Approval

Campaigners say Cheshire East Council’s plan to fell 78 trees and cut back many more at Poynton Pool remains unchanged, despite years of public opposition and a viable alternative proposal that would preserve the woodland.

Application 23/4152M will go back to Cheshire East’s Strategic Planning Board (SPB) for approval on 19th November 2025, reigniting a long-running battle led by Friends of Poynton Pool (the group), who have urged the Council to adopt their less destructive solution.

Despite discussions with Cheshire East Council, support from local MP Tim Roca, and backing from Poynton Town Council, the original plan—described by the group as “environmental vandalism”—is being resubmitted with minimal changes and a brief public consultation period which will close on 7th November 2025.

Friends of Poynton Pool’s alternative scheme proposes:

• Meandering crest markers among existing trees to raise the embankment (dam crest) beside London Road North, or
• A conventional engineering upgrade to increase overflow capacity, including a 45-metre weir and emergency drawdown facility.
• An optional culvert beneath the main road to prevent overspill during extreme flood events.

This plan would preserve the woodland, remove only a single tree stump and minor vegetation, and comply with local planning policies.

Friends of Poynton Pool Chairman and arboriculturist Mike Ellison warns:

“The threat to the trees is imminent—greater than ever. We urge everyone who values the beauty and tranquillity of Poynton Pool to speak up during the consultation and if possible make a donation via our crowdfunding page: 

Donate - Friends of Poynton Pool

...to help pay for professional legal support.”

The group issued an open letter calling on the Council to withdraw the application, (see attachment) citing the low risk, and requesting a new statutory S10 inspection to extend deadlines and allow for low-impact embankment work and overdue site investigations that are essential if works are to be carried out.

Mike Ellison adds:

“The Council could easily extend the timeline and implement a flood contingency plan to ensure reservoir safety. This would allow for proper monitoring of flows into and out of the pool and the completion of essential geotechnical studies—still outstanding despite being recommended in 2019.

“There has been no independent review of this proposal. No impartial or objective assessment to evaluate Cheshire East Council’s Option 3C alongside our alternative Option 1D. In fact, the cost-benefit analysis in the application, which is now in the public domain, materially overstates the cost of our proposal. This is despite us agreeing a deadline with Cheshire East to provide feedback on the cost estimates early next week commencing Monday 20th October. This is outrageous considering the level of public objection and the request from SPB to collaborate regarding alternative solutions.”

The fight to protect Poynton Pool’s trees began over three years ago when the Council first proposed spillway improvements, citing the pool’s classification as a reservoir. Public engagement in 2022 drew over 1,200 responses, with tree removal emerging as the most contentious issue.

When the plan was presented to SPB in April 2024, it faced:

• A petition with 5,800 signatures
• 1,700 formal objections
• Strong criticism from residents and experts

SPB deferred the decision, requesting further investigation into dam safety, tree impacts, and alternative solutions. Yet the group says the Council has failed to conduct a geotechnical site investigation and only shared the updated statutory flood study on Friday 17 October, the same day it was published with the resubmitted planning application, eight months past its February 2025 deadline.

Constrained by the recommendations of the last statutory inspection of the Pool, final designs must be submitted by December 2025 and work completed by December 2026. The group argues that a new inspection could be called by the Council and would extend these deadlines and allow for a more sustainable solution.

Mike Ellison concludes:

“Cheshire East Council has spent £679,000 pursuing a plan that ignores public feedback and devastates a cherished landscape. Poynton Park and Pool, dating back to the mid-1700s, are habitats of principal importance. The community will not accept a scheme that causes such irreversible harm.”

Pictured - Red Trees. The majority of these trees will be felled or compromised to such an extent (due to pruning, pollarding and root removal) it is highly likely they will be lost.