Cllr Simon Eardley looks to attend as many parish council meetings across the Saughall & Mollington Ward as possible during the course of the year. He typically presents comprehensive reports either ahead of these meetings or during them. Here's his report for the December 2025 meeting of Saughall & Shotwick Park Parish Council which was held on 01 December 2025.
Licensing application – 'Gill Off Licence' – notice of determination
As you will be aware, this licensing application attracted considerable interest in the village when it was advertised in early October. I am not aware of any comments of a positive nature in its favour; certainly none were sent to me. I have previously detailed my engagement with the issue and representations made on behalf of residents in opposition to it. A hearing at the Cheshire West & Chester Council Licensing Committee took place on 18 November 2025. The date of this hearing was simply presented to me, and I was not able to attend to make remarks in person owing to a long-standing engagement. However, as stated before, you can be assured that I submitted a comprehensive objection to it in writing ahead of the deadline and, in addition, I supplied a 15-page document of concerns presented to me. I was able to supply a statement to the meeting which was read on my behalf. I am grateful to the Chair of Saughall and Shotwick Park Parish Council, Jenny Young, for doing so. Should anyone wish to see a copy, I am happy to send it.
The outcome of the hearing has now been confirmed. I am very disappointed to report that the licence has been approved and I attach the report which includes details of the process on the day, various representations / comments made and the terms of the licence granted in some detail. The licence is granted subject to the appropriate mandatory conditions which are detailed in full in the report. A summary of opening hours etc is given here (which are different to what was originally planned):
Supply of alcohol Off the Premises
Monday to Saturday 07:00 to 22:00
Sunday 07:00 to 21:00
Non-Standard Timings - no non-standard timings.
Opening hours of the premises
Monday to Sunday 06:00 to 23:00
Non-Standard Timings - no non-standard timings.
It is possible for an appeal process (to the Magistrate’s Court) to be followed, but I am sceptical of the success of such a course of action, not least because no objections were received from Cheshire Police or the Environmental Health Team in respect of it. That said, I consider the concerns raised by many residents to be legitimate and solid grounds for this application to have been refused. Regrettably, that was not the view of the Licensing Sub-Committee. We will need to monitor this site when it becomes operational and ensure any concerns around its operation are raised with the appropriate authorities.
Long Lane – ‘siding out’ / vegetation clearance on the pavement from Parkgate Road to the village sign
I posted on my Cllr Facebook page a few weeks ago with concerns and frustrations regarding lack of pavement vegetation clearance on Long Lane, Saughall – there are other locations around the ward where there are similar concerns, not least Hermitage Road in various areas. In the summer I put Long Lane forward for this work as part of the ‘community-led small highways improvements’ initiative. I have recently pressed the matter again and can now report some positive news around action to be taken. This communication received on 18/11/25:
“The siding out along Long Lane fell outside of the scope of the minor maintenance work included in the Community Led initiative, as its length exceeded 280 metres.
However, we have raised a separate job with Colas [CWaC highways delivery partner] to carry out this work, which is currently being scoped and programmed, but this may take some time before they can begin.
In the meantime, the work could be carried out by the community as part of the Highway Volunteer scheme, as outlined in the following link www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/highways/our-community - but with weather conditions not getting any better, this may not be the best form of action and siding out generates a significant amount of detritus.
Therefore, it may best to remain patient and wait for works to be carried out by our highways contractor.”
Verge destruction and preservation – Church Road / Saughall Hey junction
I have had detailed correspondence with a resident in relation to verge damage at a location on the junction of Church Road and Saughall Hey in recent months. CWaC Highways have now advised as follows (17/11/25): “Thank you for your Councillor Portal Enquiry and for providing further clarification on the location, also highlighting the issue of visibility for the constituent, when exiting their driveway when vehicles are parked at the location. Highways have advised… We will arrange for an 8-metre section of bird’s mouth post and rail fencing to be installed on the verge, adjacent to the vehicular access, to discourage parking too close to your constituent’s access. We hope this will address the issue of vehicles driving onto the verge by the access. If the vehicles persist in parking on the double yellow lines, then your constituent would require the assistance of parking services to deal with the issue, requesting enforcement by logging an enquiry on the following link on the website: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-roads/parking-and-permits/civil-parking-enforcement. We will pass a works order to our contractor to install the fencing.”
Area known as ‘North Drive’ – potential ‘glampsite’ application
A number of residents have raised queries / concerns with me in relation to an application that has been made to the ‘Woodland Champions Club’ for a potential ‘glampsite’ on land in the area known as ‘North Drive’ (off Lodge Lane). In terms of actions taken, I have written to both CWaC Planning and Woodland Champions Club on the matter to seek clarifications. The essence of my note to CWaC Planning was as follows:
“Residents are querying this and whether or not there are other planning processes which might be required here. You will note mention of ‘Hot tub, shower, wifi’. I am not sure how this will be possible as there is no structure on site as far as I am aware to accommodate such things. This planning application was relevant and approved (June 2024), but for a specific purpose, not as per the contents of this email: 24/01141/AGR - “Forestry agricultural storage shed.”
I have included below replies from both CWaC Planning and Woodland Champions Club to the queries raised, which are detailed below.
CWaC Planning reply, 24/11/25:
“It depends on what is being proposed. Glamping tents themselves (provided they meet certain requirements) don't count as development, however, planning permission would usually be required for use of the site.
That said there are exemptions under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, specifically Schedule 1, Paragraph 5 states:
Subject to the provisions of paragraph 13 of this Schedule, a site licence shall not be required for the use as a caravan site of land as respects which there is in force a certificate issued under this paragraph by an exempted organisation if not more than five caravans are at the time stationed for the purposes of human habitation on the land to which the certificate relates.
(2) For the purposes of this paragraph an exempted organisation may issue as respects any land a certificate stating that the land has been approved by the exempted organisation for use by its members for the purposes of recreation.
(3) The certificate shall be issued to the occupier of the land to which it relates, and the organisation shall send particulars to the Minister of all certificates issued by the organisation under this paragraph.
(4) A certificate issued by an exempted organisation under this paragraph shall specify the date on which it is to come into force and the period for which it is to continue in force, being a period not exceeding one year.
Ultimately it depends on what they are intending.”
Further CWaC Planning reply, 26/11/25:
I queried whether CWaC Planning would look into the matter further. The reply from Woodland Champions Club (below this reply) contains information in relation to how they will interact with CWaC Planning regarding the application they have received.
“Ordinarily, enforcement cannot investigate planning breaches until they have already occurred. As the glamping site is only being advertised, currently, there is little enforcement can do. That said, I have copied them into this email chain as this information may be useful at a later date, should a breach occur.
Currently I do not believe they are doing anything unlawful as I’ve checked the exemption list and it appears that Woodland Champions are licensed until 05/05/28. This list can be found at: Social clubs: get an exemption to camp without a licence - GOV.UK
That said, in your first email, you mentioned that the development may include the provision of hot tubs and showers. The exemption does not grant permission for ancillary buildings; therefore, this may require planning permission. Therefore, if you have any concerns, regarding this I would recommend contacting enforcement.”
Reply from Woodland Champions Club’, received on 28/11/25:
“Thank you for contacting the Woodland Champions Club regarding the application for a potential glampsite at North Drive, Saughall. We appreciate your diligence in representing local residents’ interests and your thoughtful summary of the planning context.
How Residents Can Comment: Residents are welcome to submit their views or concerns directly via email to [email protected]. Alternatively, public comments can be left on our application portal at https://woodlandchampions.co.uk/applications?a=537. We actively monitor both channels and ensure all feedback is considered as part of our review process.
Our Application Review Process:
- Each application is subject to a thorough review, including an evaluation of site suitability, environmental impact, and compliance with club standards and codes (such as the Countryside Code and club T&Cs).
- We conduct a virtual site visit (usually via Google Meet) to assess access, site features, and context.
- We liaise directly with the relevant Local Planning Authority (in this case, Cheshire West and Chester Council) by sending a formal consultation email. The LPA is given 28 days to respond with any comments or objections.
- Residents’ feedback is also taken into account, and if significant concerns are raised, these are discussed with the applicant and may result in additional site visits or adjustments to the proposal.
- Only after all feedback is considered and any issues addressed do we proceed to a decision.
Legal and Planning Context:
- We are aware of the exemptions under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, Schedule 1, Paragraph 5, as outlined in your message.
- Our process is designed to ensure that any site granted a certificate (where applicable) meets all legal requirements and is suitable for recreational use by our members.
- We work closely with the LPA to ensure there is no conflict with local planning policy or previous permissions, such as the one you referenced for the agricultural storage shed.
If you or any residents have further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are committed to transparency and community engagement throughout this process.
Kind regards,
Ben Carden - Club Secretary, Woodland Champions Club”
Parking challenges on Aspen Grove
I have had extensive correspondence around parking challenges at the junction of Aspen Grove and Hermitage Road for many months. Concerns relate to, but are not exclusive to, vehicles parking far too close to the junction. Evidence has been supplied to CWaC Highways and a request for them to consider the introduction of some formal restrictions here made. They have responded as follows:
“Thank you for contacting us to advise of the ongoing parking issue at Aspen Grove, Saughall.
Given the evidence and pictures provided and the report from [the Police], we will look to introduce an access protection marking at the junction. With the current numbers of traffic regulation orders in process and the limited available resource to progress them, it is likely to take between 6 to 12 months, to advertise, carry out the consultation and if successful install the access protection on site.
In the meantime, If the enforcement action is successful in ceasing the operation of a gym business at the location, please let us know if the restriction would no longer be required.
We will contact you and the police via email, when we are progressing the traffic regulation order to advise of your support for the introduction of the order ahead of advertising it.”
In terms of what an ‘access protection marking’ means, it is as follows: ‘junction protection which is a short 10m length of double yellow lines.’
Miscellaneous
- Pothole – junction of Haymakers Way / Timberfields Road. Reported on 23/11/25. Ref: CE767883135. CWaC say this doesn’t (yet) meet the intervention criteria for repair.
- Pothole – near 15 Saughall Hey. Reported on 28/11/25. Ref: CE769404675. This has already been marked up for attention / repair.
- Pothole – The Ridings, near the junction with The Close. Reported on 28/11/25. Ref: CE769405744.
- I’ve had various correspondence around a pavement repair (root growth) in the vicinity of 26 Saughall Hey. Highways have advised: “We can confirm that a footway patch repair has been issued to our Service Delivery Partner, as shown on the attached plan (is included as a pdf with this report, following your report CE750670514. The extents of what is proposed have been measured by the Highway Network Steward and cover the area that meets the intervention levels within the Highways Maintenance Code of Practice.” This repair work has now been undertaken. I will continue to monitor the area to see if additional works are required as there is some additional cracking which is likely to require attention in the foreseeable future.
- Wain Court (Sanctuary Housing) – heating issues. I have been assisting residents regarding a heating issue at these flats over the last week. Sanctuary Housing have advised: “…we have identified a fault with one of the boilers. The necessary parts have been ordered, and the works have been approved. We are currently waiting for those parts to arrive, and as soon as they do, we will repair the boiler that is down.” It is hoped that these parts will arrive w/c 01/12/25.
