Residents in Alsager have lost their battle to stop land in the town being sold off for housing.

Public open space in the town is to be sold off following a decision made on the casting vote of the chair of Cheshire East's economy and growth committee.

The committee was split over whether or not to sell the land off Talke Road, which locals described as being 'vital for the wellbeing of residents'.

Following a tied vote at six, six – with one councillor abstaining – the decision went through on the casting vote of chair, Nick Mannion.

The meeting heard from Alsager resident Sue Helliwell that the site is 'a loved and valued space by local residents'.

"Please be the voice of our natural environment and take climate change seriously and save our lovely green open space," she said.

Resident Geoffrey MacDonald asked: "Where's the logic in destroying a much valued public open space and going against the corporate plan [for a more open and greener Cheshire East]?

He said no-one had supported the land sale and plenty of people had objected to it.

"The council will be increasing its funds at the expense of retaining a much loved public open space which has benefits for the health and wellbeing of local residents."

Alsager councillor Rod Fletcher, speaking as a visiting member, said the land, which had been used by the railways, was contaminated and 'we just don't know what's under there'.

Cllr Rod Fletcher

The committee was being asked by officers to approve the disposal of the land and this was moved early in the discussions by Cllr Mannion (Macclesfield, Lab) and seconded by Crewe councillor Steve Hogben (Lab).

Not too long afterwards the debate moved into part two, with the press and public excluded from the meeting for about 45 minutes while commercially sensitive matters were discussed.

When the committee returned to its public session, it was clear councillors were divided.

Cllr Hogben said: "This is a derelict site, a former industrial site, and it does need to be brought back into some sensible use. Arguments have been brought forward about its value as a dog walking area and so forth… but it does seem to me we should take the opportunity to dispose of this land."

Wilmslow councillor Mark Goldsmith (Ind) said: "It is in the local plan [for housing]. We will always look for brownfield sites in preference to greenfield and, all the time this is labelled as a brownfield site, this will always be in the sights of developers and other people wanting to take an easier option than building on a greenfield site."

But councillors Andrew Kolker and Janet Clowes did not believe it should be sold at present.

Cllr Kolker said: "There are clearly benefits [of selling] but they're not substantial and I am really struggling to see a reason to sell this and develop the land."

Cllr Andrew Kolker

Cllr Clowes said: "This is a brownfield site that will require mitigation activity of some kind or another and, at these current times, the costs of such mitigation, we know, are rising. Consequently, any benefits to the council of the sale is going to be fragile at best and consequently, at this particular moment in time, I'd want to hold on to this asset."

Cllr Janet Clowes

Cllr David Jefferay said if Alsager residents were going to lose the land then, with respect to biodiversity loss 'what I want is this committee to, in some way, make a commitment that these people will be compensated'.

He suggested a percentage of the proceeds should be ring-fenced for biodiversity on the site but, after a lengthy debate, it was decided this would not be feasible.

It was suggested instead the environment committee might be asked to look at biodiversity options for the town.