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Search the Public Notice PortalThe Church of England have denied rumours that land in Malpas has been sold for development which could double the size of the village.
Concerns have been raised about a 64-acre section of land adjacent to Wrexham Road and the Sports Club which groups in the village fear could see hundreds of houses being built.
‘Protect Malpas’ has been formed in opposition to potential development of the area and said the area is a “much treasured green space”.
Joanna Dakin, spokesperson for Protect Malpas said: “A proposed housing development of 514 houses would almost double the size of Malpas putting strain on already stressed services and infrastructure.
“The proposed access route is via Church Street, a narrow road, notorious bottleneck and - due to parked cars making it single track - is often blocked. Our small village roads and High Street simply do not have the capacity for 1,000-plus additional cars.”
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In response, the Diocese of Chester has said that the land has not been sold, and defended its conduct regarding potential plans.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Chester said: “The Diocese of Chester is committed to being transparent and responsive. We have consistently and quickly answered all questions and enquiries received over the past several months regarding the land at Malpas.
“Several individuals have contacted us asking if the land has been sold, and we have explained that this is not the case.”
The Diocese, however, did confirm it had been approached by Cheshire West and Chester Council about designating the land as being suitable for potential development.
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The spokesperson added: “The 26.3-hectare site off Church Street, currently used as farmland, was identified by the Council as having potential capacity for future development.
“The Diocese of Chester is a registered charity and is legally required under the Charities Act to secure best value from its assets. Demonstrating a willingness for development is part of that responsibility”.
The Diocese said it “will only sell to an ethical development partner committed to high-quality, sustainable design that respects the heritage of Malpas and the Christian ethos of the area”.
They added that any development would need to “include strong environmental standards, green spaces, biodiversity initiatives, community engagement, and housing options that support people across generations.
“We recognise that any proposed housing development raises understandable concerns within the community. Residents in Malpas have expressed a desire for clarity about future planning possibilities, and we remain committed to open communication.”
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