With the second anniversary of the Tatton planning application just a few months away, the Lib Dems have again called on owners Dickens Property Group to act. We are also grateful to Gatley Village Partnership and others who are lobbying Dickens.

In response, Iain was phoned by Andrew Dempsey, Director at Dickens Property Group who own the Tatton.

Andrew assured us that Dickens will develop the site. He reckons it will take another three weeks to sort out the last details on the planning application. Then they have to sign the agreement with the occupier for the retail space and then the building begins.

We shall see! We’ve had these sorts of promises before and they came to nothing. We won’t really believe it until they’re on site and building is underway – but we’ll keep you updated whatever happens.

Here is the letter we sent:

Andrew Dempsey
Dickens Property Group

Dear Andrew,

I am writing to ask you to clarify your plans for the Tatton cinema site.

Your planning application has been in the system for the best part of two years. Every time we’ve spoken, you’ve assured me that you want to get on with the development and yet we’ve seen delay after delay while other – far more complex – applications for other sites have been and gone.

The residents of Gatley have supported you latest application, with so few objections that it did not even need to come to the planning committee.

We would like to see the site developed as quickly as possible. If Dickens is unable or unwilling to do this, I would ask that you sell the site at a fair market value to someone who is.

I hope you are able to provide assurances and firm dates in writing.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Iain Roberts