Crewe: Anger over comments made by councillor after by-election loss

Crewe West councillor Connor Naismith was speaking last week after the shock Conservative win in the Crewe Central by-election.

Cllr Naismith, who is also Labour’s Crewe and Nantwich parliamentary candidate, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “It’s clear to me that one significant factor was probably residents’ justified anger at Cheshire East over the Coppenhall Place estate planning debacle.”

He was referring to the estate having its planning permission revoked in 2022 because developer Countryside Partnerships failed to deal with a condition relating to contaminated land.

Cllr Connor Naismith (Image: Cheshire East Council)

Cheshire East has been criticised for allowing the estate to be built and occupied and not enforcing the condition.

But the Crewe councillor’s comments have infuriated some people living on the estate and they have demanded a formal apology and retraction.

One, who contacted the LDRS on behalf of a group of Coppenhall Place residents, said: “Attributing the recent loss in the Crewe Central by-election primarily to our estate not only simplifies the issue but also indicates a misunderstanding of the local dynamics, unjustly dismissing the perspectives of voters from other parts of the area.

“Such a stance fails to acknowledge that our estate is merely a fraction of the whole ward, thereby disregarding the wide array of influences that shape voter sentiment throughout Crewe Central and diminishing the validity of their views.”

He added: “During the May 2023 election, we were already facing these planning issues, and his party still secured the seat in the area.

“This suggests that attributing current failures to these long-standing issues is an inadequate excuse and questions why the situation would be perceived any differently now…

“The residents here wish to highlight that, since the departure of Cllr Critchley, no other Labour representatives have stepped forward to offer support, starkly contrasting with the efforts of Cllr Morris, Cllr Pratt and Kieran Mullan and others who have actively engaged with our community with a genuine concern to try and help.”

But another resident from the estate said the group who had contacted the LDRS did not represent the views of everyone living there.

The resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I have engaged with Connor Naismith on this issue and I know he has worked really hard with our former ward councillor Ant Critchley to get the planning issue resolved as quickly as possible.

“In the absence of being able to resolve it, I know he has also made efforts to update residents on what is going on.

“Although it is shame to see Cllr Critchley give up his seat, I do welcome the new councillor, Roger Morris, and hope he can deliver on the promises he campaigned on.”

Cllr Naismith told the LDRS: "I have every sympathy with the residents of Coppenhall Place.

“They are right to be angry at Cheshire East and at the developer, as I said.

“I can only reiterate that my willingness to work with these residents on any issues of concern is sincere. And I don't take anybody's vote or support for granted.

“I would encourage any resident to contact me directly to talk about any issues of concern.

“As a resident of Crewe myself, raising a young family here, I have a vested interest in working with all of our communities to get the very best for everyone."