Unusually, Cllr Simon Eardley submitted apologies for the 13th April 2026 meeting of Saughall & Shotwick Park Parish Council owing to a prior engagement in Manchester. However, his comprehensive report around his work during the previous month was submitted as usual. Read on to find out more!
NB: the report may refer to documents submitted by email to parish councillors and which do not appear here. If you'd like to see them, please drop Cllr Eardley an email on: [email protected]
Friends of Shotwick Park – 1st AGM
I am delighted to see that the first AGM for this group will take place as follows:
Tuesday 21st April 2026
7pm
Vernon Institute, Church Road
Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend this meeting as, on the same night, I have been involved with calling for two ‘Extraordinary’ meetings of Cheshire West and Chester Council to consider two important issues: the proposed Peak Cluster project and the implications of housing targets on the area. I have corresponded with the organisers to offer my support in both a practical way when they have events etc organised and also potentially via my annual Member Budget. I look forward to getting involved with their ongoing work.
Shotwick Park Estate – barn owls
In the context of the Shotwick Park Estate project, and also the HyNet CO2 pipeline construction project, I have had some correspondence with the Wirral Barn Owl Trust. I have extracted below and have indicated to them that I will keep in touch if there are ongoing issues of concern.
“Shotwick Park, Saughall – following information from a Saughall resident and with the permission of Chester West Council we conducted a site survey of the old wooden barn at [Location removed] and although there were no owls present it was obvious that the loft is being used as a Barn Owl roost. We then had a very productive meeting with some of the council biodiversity team and discussed the proposals for the Shotwick Park project. I am pleased to report that at this stage we have an understanding to work in conjunction with them and install an initial two Barn Owl nest boxes at suitable locations within the park, with an option of further boxes if required.”
Community Speedwatch
Thanks, as ever, to the team of volunteers who lead and deliver this important work each week. I have been involved with two sessions over the course of the last month:
19 March 2026 – Crofters Way / Seahill Road
01 April 2026 – The Ridings, near Rosewood Grove
The Ridings session resulted in ten vehicles being observed well in excess of the speed limit. As usual, I posted on the subject on social media and received a stream of abuse. Regardless, this is essential work in the community and I am unfazed about continuing to undertake it alongside the team who prioritise this activity which is generally welcomed in the village.
Community Transport Service - Your Bus service – replacement for the ‘Plus Bus’
A number of residents have contacted me regarding the future of the well-used and much valued, 'Plus Bus' service. This has been a vital and important service for many. I am pleased to be able share an update on 'the future' regarding 'Your Bus.' Your Bus is the new name for the ‘Dial a Ride’ minibus service. The service will be starting on 1 April 2026 and will be operated by Changing Lives Together.
The community minibus service is available to residents who are over 80 or are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (mobility component) or the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance or have a health reason why they cannot access public transport. The service is also available for residents where there is no public transport provision in their area.
Click the link to learn more: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/news/your-bus-community-transport-service
Proposed ‘siding out’ (pavement) works – Long Lane – update
I was advised by officers on 27/03/26 that a 290m stretch of Long Lane will be sided out by early April 2026. This is the work as previously advised and will run from the junction with Parkgate Road towards the village sign.
Darlington Crescent
There has been a longstanding case logged with Sanctuary Housing in respect of a lighting column not working to the rear of the green space on Darlington Crescent in the vicinity of number 48.
Update from Sanctuary Housing as follows on 09/04/26:
“I can confirm that our contractors have attended Darlington Cresent and identified which lights require repair.
They have submitted a quotation, which has now been approved by our budget holder. The works have been fast‑tracked today, and we expect the repairs to be completed by the beginning of next week.”
Footway works – Fairholme Close
Concern has been raised with me regarding the works undertaken here recently on a number of fronts: (1) The detritus left behind, (2) The quality of the works and (3) The fact that recently laid full tarmac (as a result of driveway works) was covered with the surface treatment material. The response given (10/04/26) to the points raised is as follows:
“We are sorry to hear of your constituent’s disapproval of the recent footway surface treatment carried out at Fairholme Close, Saughall, Chester.
This type of treatment has been used to seal deteriorating footway surfaces for many years, and has been developed over time, it is a proven and cost-effective treatment to prolong the service life of the footway for its intended purpose for pedestrians.
These treatments can have a rough appearance when they have recently been laid, they do, as the Pronin representative advised the resident directly, settle down to a smoother appearance over time.
The site was identified as a suitable location for the treatment in August when plans were drawn up for the proposed treatment, in early September 2025 a works order was passed to our Term maintenance partner, to quote for the whole site. It is coincidental that the resident applied to extend their vehicular access at the same time, however, our choice would remain to surface the entire footway with a contiguous surfacing treatment.
We do apologise for the condition that the site was left in following treatment, we have taken this matter up with our term maintenance partner who we hope has now addressed the issues with the cleanliness of the site following the works.”
Pear Tree Farm development – outstanding issues update
Following correspondence with residents regarding the above, I asked CWaC Planning Enforcement officers for an update on progress to resolve the outstanding issues here. The reply received on 01/04/26 as follows:
“The Council tried to negotiate with the developer; however the agreed resolution was not forthcoming. We have sent the file to the Councils Legal team and are awaiting their advice for prosecution proceedings. The s278 works is with the Highways team, I will try to find out which officer to contact for you.”
This will continue to be on my radar and chased as necessary going forward.
PCSO coverage
PCSO Wendy Leason left her role covering Saughall (and other areas) at Cheshire Police on 31/03/26. I took the opportunity to thank her for her support and service over a long period of time and I know her familiar face will be missed in the community. I am advised that a new PCSO will join PC Barnett in the parish, her name is Christine Hogan and is an experienced PCSO from another area in the force. I look forward to meeting PCSO Hogan in due course.
Wain Court – heating / boiler challenges
I have been dealing with a longstanding issue at Wain Court through correspondence with Sanctuary and residents. The issues related to heating and boiler problems which, according to the update received on 07/04/26, now appear to have been resolved.
“I can confirm that the boilers at Wain Court have now been repaired, and the scheme currently has three fully functional and operational boilers.
We have also installed a new filter in the plant room, which has improved the quality of the heating water. As a result, the radiators are now receiving the correct water flow.
We have spoken to several residents, all of whom have reported that their heating has improved and that their radiators are now getting hot. We have advised residents to contact us directly if they experience any further issues, as in some cases individual radiators may require flushing which we can arrange on an individual basis.
However, for all the residents we spoke to, the radiators appeared to be fully functional and heating to the expected standard. We are hopeful that the installation of the new filter has resolved the issue.”
National planning policy changes and the impact on villages
When the circumstances require it, I ask for the CWaC Planning Committee to determine some applications. Ordinarily, officers will decide a planning application, usually if it isn't controversial or represents a modest change to a house (a single storey rear extension, for example). The Government have recently been consulting on the 'National Planning Policy Framework' (NPPF) which is a key policy document which sets the parameters of planning policy. It has big implications for local planning matters.
I am deeply concerned about the way elements of this - such as the 'grey belt' policy that the government have been promoting - and their massive impact on rural villages - like every one in the Saughall & Mollington Ward. Protections for green fields, the green belt and the character of villages used to be strong. The reality is that it no longer is and is likely to get worse. I am liaising with colleagues in Parliament to see what might be done about this, but I am not hopeful of success given the direction of travel of policy from the Labour Government. You can read more about this below:
www.simoneardley.uk/news/planning-policy-changes-and-impact-villages-saughall-mollington-ward
Public Right of Way matters
- PRoW 8 (Hermitage Road, Little Saughall):
Following correspondence with a resident, I was alerted to the possibility that a hedge which runs along this PRoW might have been removed. This was unnecessary and I raised concerns with SP Energy Networks (Scottish Power) as the suggestion was with them following it being made by one of the landowners. Confirmation was received that this would not be the case as per this note of 11/03/26: “I am writing to confirm that the mixed-species hedge will not be cut down to ground level. Instead, it will be maintained at a standard hedge height of approximately 1.5 metres. This height will allow SPEN to achieve the necessary safety clearance required for all vegetation situated near our high-voltage overhead electricity lines. The what3words reference provided above identifies the location of the hedge and I have also attached a PDF showing the exact position for your convenience. Avove are [our] service partner for tree cutting in the Cheshire area and they will be carrying out the tree cutting on the day.” PDF is attached with this report.
- Saughall BY11 and Chester City BY257:
I received the following note from CWaC PRoW on 12/03: “I have received several complaints over the last few years about the state of the BOAT linking Blacon to Saughall. I am currently trying to secure some funding to improve this byway. I am conscious that there have been complaints in the past about 4x4 being used on this route and disturbing the surface of the route. As it is a BOAT mechanically propelled vehicles are legally allowed to use the route. Currently the BOAT is churned up and not ideal for the majority of the users who are pedestrians. If the route is improved, it will become less appealing to 4x4 users as it will not be muddy and churned up and therefore present less of a driving challenge. I also believe there may be concerns about improving the route as it may encourage anti-social behaviour due to its proximity to Blacon. If there is any anti-social behaviour it will be for the Police to deal with it. I thought I would consult with you first and Saughall Parish Council before any decision is taking to proceed with the works at will be quite expensive to lay a surface which will withstand 4x4s.”
My reply as follows: “I am not opposed in principle to the works and improvements that you propose. This route was widened in recent years through works to the trees / hedges etc and this made passing along it easier for sure. What sort of treatment would you propose to the surface and what is the likely cost? I’d be interested to understand a little more the number of people using this route – it is quite obscure, including from the ‘Blacon end’ and arguably there are better routes for people walking to connect them to other PRoWs in the vicinity of Saughall that run off Green Lane / Kingswood Lane (not least via Hermitage Road). I did have correspondence from residents, particularly of Kingswood Lane, a few years ago with ASB concerns. The top end of Kingswood Lane is quite remote / dark and doesn’t benefit from being adopted highway. Any improvements to the surface that might encourage more use of this route – and potential ASB – would not be welcomed by residents although, as you say, it would ultimately be for the Police to deal with. Have the Blacon councillors also been asked for their views on this?”
Response to above received on 01/04 as follows: “I unfortunately can’t give any figures on use, but in the BOATs present state (see recent pictures screenshotted below – see document attached)) it can’t be getting much use apart from 4x4 users looking for some off road thrills. Currently under 1% of our Network is BOATs, this particular route had been repaired 3 years ago (Feb2023) by laying stones, but this has not proved successful and the route is very churned up. We had a similar problem in Kings Marsh were the BOAT experienced high 4x4 usage which left the track impassable for other users. The solution that we choose was to lay Cellweb which gives the path a rigid structure, protects tree roots and provides a stable surface which is less appealing to the 4x4 users, which I believe is one of the residents major concerns. The BOAT at kings Marsh has now been opened up to equestrian use, cycle use and the amount of 4x4 use has declined due to the improved condition of the route (see photos below). We would also look to create a TRO to limit the speed of vehicles on the route. The cost for improving the worst section of the BOAT (500 metres) is £56k, it would costs less if we just stoned the path but that will only last a few years.”
Church Road – area of the junction with Saughall Hey
As per previous reports, you may recall that CWaC agreed to install some fencing on the right-hand side of this junction as you enter Saughall Hey to protect the verge. I have recently checked progress regarding when this will be implemented as per Councillor Portal enquiry. The response from CWaC as follows:
“Please accept our apologies for the delay in installing the birds mouth fencing at the location, within the specified timescale given previously. We have chased the works up with our term maintenance partner, who have advised there are difficulties to overcome at the location due to the number of statutory undertakers apparatus under the verge at the intended location for the fencing, they have advised they are looking to schedule and complete the works by mid-April 2026.”
Miscellaneous matters / reports
- An abandoned vehicle (van) was raised with me as of concern in March. This was in the vicinity of 102 and 104 Hermitage Road. This was recovered by Cheshire Police on 09/03/26.
- As per a previous report, I logged concerns regarding all gullies on Church Road, many of which have become silted up. CWaC responded as follows on 09/03/26 ref. planned cleansing by Colas (their contractor): “Thank you for your enquiry regarding silted gullies at Church Road, Saughall, our Term maintenance partner, Colas have advised me that they have them in the schedule for cleansing within the next four weeks.” I understand these works have now been completed, but it is possible some remain blocked / of concern. I will undertake a review again and log further if necessary.
- Request to remove detritus from footway works on Fairholme Close. Logged on 10/03/26 – ref.: CE810223011.
- Width of barrier impeding access of motorised scooters – Smithy Close to Church Road ‘cut through.’ Query raised with CWaC on 02/04. Reference: CLR821857035.
- Bamboo root growth and damage to pavement – Smithy Close to Church Road ‘cut through.’ This is a longstanding issue and needs to be resolved. CWaC chased (although it won’t be them that is ultimately responsible for the repair). Council hardware (barriers etc) also needs to be removed in this location. Reference: CLR821862183.
- Concern has been raised regarding the longevity / quality of the footpath surface works on Rosewood Grove which is showing signs of sinkage, marking, discolouration. CWaC have been asked to review. Ref. CE821871888.
- Long Lane – junction with Parkgate Road, potholes. Logged on 29/03/26 – ref.:CE819656639. Some works have been completed here recently, but not the specific area of concern with this report.
