CAMPAIGNERS fighting controversial plans by Cheshire East Council to ‘desecrate’ a woodland to undertake disputed ‘safety’ works at Poynton Pool are raising funds for a judicial review, should it become necessary.

Poynton Pool is classed as a large high-risk reservoir, which means an uncontrolled release of water could endanger human life.

The council, as landowner, has a legal obligation to carry out works to ensure it is safe and, following an inspection, submitted a planning application to do work to prevent possible future flooding.

But the work involved felling 78 trees and removing 80m of hedgerow.

Even the council’s own planning officers said the environmental impact would be ‘brutal’ and ‘significantly harmful’.

Poynton PoolPoynton Pool (Image: Andy Robinson)

In April, Cheshire East's strategic planning board deferred the application after hearing from an engineering expert, speaking on behalf of campaigners, that there were alternative, less harmful options than that being proposed by the council’s engineers.

The deferral was to enable disputed data to be reviewed, to allow an inspection of the dam below the water level and for ‘engagement with third parties to consider/explain alternatives’.

Now campaign group, Friends of Poynton Pool (FoPP), is re-focusing its fundraising campaign in case a legal challenge becomes necessary, should the council decide to press ahead with the scheme.

But a judicial review could cost more than £50,000.

Poynton PoolPoynton Pool (Image: Andy Robinson)

FoPP chair Mike Ellison, an arboriculturist, said: “Instigating a judicial review is a time-consuming, complex and ultimately expensive course of action that could culminate in a day in the High Court with barristers arguing our case before a judge."

He continued: “We are concerned that, despite our repeated representations, there are still many potential inaccuracies that Cheshire East does not appear to be investigating in respect of this planning application.

“We also see that we, the community, continue to be held at arms-length.

"Strategic planning board has deferred the application for collaboration and engagement with us and Poynton Town Council, yet four months have passed and a meeting still hasn’t taken place.

“A judicial review is a daunting prospect, and not a step we want to take.

"But if Cheshire East Council approves this application we’re hoping the people of Poynton, and surrounding areas, will stand with us in opposing the threat to our landscape and wildlife habitats in favour of a more environmentally friendly solution.”

FoPP will have a high profile stall at Poynton’s annual show tomorrow (Saturday, August 24), and members will be handing out flyers publicising the fundraising campaign.

The campaigners say the environment agency is carrying out surveys at the pool next week and an independent reservoir inspector is due to inspect the pool next month.

Mr Ellison said this could potentially have ‘material implications for the current planning application and its impact on the environment of Poynton Park’.