According to Manchester Evening News, more than 100 neighbors opposed her plans to build a conference and wedding venue at her home. The interior designer has already been handed planning approval to erect an extension to her ten-bed £13.5m Warford Hall mansion in Alderley Edge.
But she must gain approval for a ‘change of use’ so the yet-to-be constructed extension, which at the moment is for living and office space, can be used for ‘conference/banquet facilities’.
The site reports that 150 residents have registered their objection to the plan, many citing the noise they believe the venture would bring.
Neighbors are even being urged to attend a planning meeting at Macclesfield town hall on June 1 where a final decision is expected to be made.
A letter to neighbors says: “We feel that by our very presence we may hope to display to members of the committee the strength of feeling there is against what could change forever the character of our peaceful village community.”
Residents say they are already concerned about the noise from the annual charity Creme de la Creme ball held by Dawn and ex-footballer husband Ashley in tribute to their youngest daughter Aston who almost lost her life to meningitis.
However the mother-of-four says her new business plan would mean less noise not more. Ward claims that the building would be sound-proofed, would cater for a maximum 120 people at up to 60 events per year, she insisted, while people attending events would be bused in and out rather than park on site.
So what does Ward think of all of this?
“It’s like a witch-hunt. It’s unbelievable. Fair enough (to complain) if you are local, but we are getting complaints as far as Tytherington. How it can affect people as far away as Tytherington I have not idea. It’s ludicrous,” Ward told Manchester Evening News.
She added: “Neighbors don’t like noise. I understand.”
But she pointed out her charity ball had ‘raised hundreds of thousands of pounds’ for charity.
“We bought Warford Hall ten years ago when there were over a hundred people working here at a call center with more than 80 cars each day coming in and out. I have put a traffic plan into place which will bring guests in by bus.”
Photo Credit: ITVBe
