Councillor urges more land for job creation (From Crewe Guardian)

Councillor urges more land for job creation

9:51am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By Matthew Taylor

SANDBACH Heath and East Clr Sam Corcoran has called for more employment land in the town amid a raft of housing proposals.

Clr Corcoran said there were now two workers in Sandbach for every available job, but new plans for the Capricorn Business Park near Junction 17 meant there were reasons for optimism.

He said: “The prospects for this business park are now looking more hopeful than for a decade. Previously disputes between the landowners have caused problems, but these are now resolved.

A bid for government money to improve J17 has been submitted. There is a clean slate for planning applications.”

He continued: “Over the last ten years several employment sites in Sandbach have been closed and replaced with housing estates.

“There will always be people who commute in and out of Sandbach, but if we wish to promote Sandbach as a sustainable town then we need more employment sites in Sandbach.

A public consultation on the site came out 161 to 41 in favoyr of the site being used as a business park.

Mr Corcoran said it represented a ‘remarkable outcome.’

He said: “Most people don’t want housing in their backyards let alone a business park, so to get a clear vote in favour of an employment site shows the strength of feeling in favour of this site as a business park.”