THING OF THE WEEK

SAVED… Faced with the threat of closure, Jodrell Bank Obsevatory has been given a lifeline by Prime Minister Andy Burnham who this week pledged to find a way to save the UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site after UK Research and Innovation said the site would not be prioritised for further funding after March 2028.

While great news for those with an affinity to one of the North’s most recognisable landmarks and Britain’s standing as a scientific power, it is less positive for housebuilders eyeing up nearby land. Developers have to contend with strict planning rules that protect the Jodrell Bank’s famous telescope. Just last year, one firm had permission for a residential scheme located close to the astronomical observatory rejected because of risks electronic equipment in the homes would interfere with important space studies.

Wain Homes was made to wait for a decision. Credit: planning documents

RULES… You are never too far away from drama when it comes to planning matters in Cheshire. It must be said, it is normally Cheshire East Council getting a ribbing for committee hijinks but this week neighbouring Cheshire West and Chester Council came up with its own bizarre moment during the consideration of a 240 home scheme in Ellesmere Port.

The individual who had registered to speak in opposition to the plans could not make it to the meeting so someone was sent along in their place. However, the substitute speaker was refused permission to have their say as she had not registered through the proper channels, a decision she described as “petty” during an amusing back and forth with the chair and officers. “These are not my rules,” committee chair Cllr Gina Lewis said in her defence. In any case, the application was deferred.

Can Alex Russell break the four-hour barrier. Credit: via Alex Russell

SUB-FOUR… Property Alliance Group chief executive Alex Russell has spent much of his summer training for the Amsterdam marathon, where he hopes he can creep under the four-hour barrier at the third time of asking. Having been tantalisingly close in London with a time of 4.16 and agonisingly close in Manchester when he clocked in at 4:01, Russell is heading to the capital of the Netherlands to take on a flat and fast course in the search of a sub-3 finish. It is not all about the time though, Russell is going Dutch in his fundraising endeavours, running for the cancer charity KWF. You can donate to here. 

SWEATBANDS… If reading the above has got you in the mood for running – but a marathon is a little too far – there is a little under a week to go until Land Aid’s 5k and 10k races at MediaCity. We could go into great detail explaining what its all about, but we’ll leave it to Nathan Cornish, Dominic Pozzoni, Jill Parker, and Stuart Rogers to do that. If their promo video doesn’t get you up for a run, nothing will.

Unwin Jones Partnership is leading on design. Credit: via planning documents

GETAWAY… With August over, many of us are mourning our summer holidays and the apparent disappearance of the sun that has been such a prominent feature of our lives over recent months. The nights are drawing in and we have returned to our daily routines like obedient minions. It might be a while before you find yourself on a beach again, but that does not mean you cannot plot something more domestic to recharge the batteries should one require it. One planning application caught our eye this week and got us dreaming of a cheeky getaway to take the edge off. Lake District Hotels has received approval from the Lake District National Park Planning Authority to create a rooftop spa at the Inn on the Square, which would include an outdoor pool, warm lounge – no, me neither – roof garden seating and a bar. Delicious.