Friends Of Poynton Pool Meet Local MP

Members of local campaign group, Friends of Poynton Pool, recently met with Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, to discuss their continued concerns with Cheshire East Council’s proposed plans to remove up to 100 trees as part of the Poynton Pool spillway proposals.

David met on site with local residents and campaigners within the Friends of Poynton Pool group, Beverley Hulme, David Massingham and Gwenda Mayers, to discuss their concerns, following the recent Environment Agency inspection of Poynton Pool. As it is classed as a reservoir, regular inspections are carried out as required by the Environment Agency to review its safety and ensure the Pool continues to comply with current reservoir safety standards.  

During this inspection, the Environment Agency has stipulated that improvement works along a stretch of the bank between Poynton Pool and the A523 London Road North are required. The proposed works would affect close to 100 trees and since the proposals were announced, Friends of Poynton Pool has been campaigning to highlight the impact the removal of the trees would have on the surrounding area and wildlife. As part of their actions the Group has attached red ribbons to the trees within the area at risk, to visually demonstrate where the loss of trees would occur.

During the meeting, the Group also highlighted to David their concerns in relation to the flood resilience plans. The group expressed their concerns that the plans have little regard for safeguarding this important community asset, which has been in place for over 300 years, and that the resulting impact from these proposals on both the community and wildlife would be hugely detrimental, particularly when the flood risk is perceived to be low.

Recently, Cheshire East Council has confirmed that an Environmental Impact Assessment will not be taking place as part of the proposals. Following this decision, Poynton Town Council and Friends of Poynton Pool continue to have a number of concerns and will be writing to Cheshire East Council to challenge this decision.

To continue emphasising the strong concern the community has about the proposals, the Group are in the process of organising a community walk to take place on Saturday 1^st July at Poynton Pool and continue to add signatures to their online petition.  Further information on the walk and the petition can be found using the following links: 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086549141292

https://www.change.org/p/preserve-poynton-pool.

Jen Hartshorne, main organiser of the Friends of Poynton Pool commented: “It was really beneficial for David to take the time to come and meet with members of our group and listen to our concerns. The plan proposed by Cheshire East really would decimate this environmentally important beauty spot and it would be a real loss to the people of Poynton. We are urging the council to conduct a formal Environmental Impact Assessment Report, and of course, ultimately, we would like them to formulate a new plan to prevent the apparent flood risk that wouldn’t cause so much damage to the area.”

Speaking after the meeting, David said “A number of local residents have contacted me raising their concerns over the proposals at Poynton Pool. Before Christmas, I also met on site with Cheshire East Council officers and expressed my hope that an approach would be formulated to protect the trees and wildlife at this local community asset. I am grateful to the Friends of Poynton Pool and Poynton Town Council for the work they have done on this important matter and I look forward to working with them and Cheshire East Council, to agree a more environmentally friendly solution.”

Pictured - Beverley Hulme, David Massingham and Gwenda Mayers with David Rutley.