John Borthwick, a local resident who has also worked on reservoirs, added: “We don’t deny the reservoir needs work and updating, we do say there are less instructive ways of doing it and we are asking can they please look at what we’re proposing.”
In the report, officers said 78 trees and two 130ft (40m) sections of hedgerows will need to be removed.
The officers described the creation of the gaps as “a brutal intervention and unequivocally harmful”.
It also said there will be impacts on toads, hedgehogs, birds and bats in the local area.
In recommending the scheme for approval, officers said the strength of local opposition was “acknowledged and completely understood.”
“However, the identified harm is considered to be outweighed by the need for the proposal and the lack of any viable alternatives in this case.”
Mick Warren, chairman of the council’s environment and communities committee, said: “If the works are not done, the council – as the responsible body for Poynton Pool – is at risk of legal action from the Environment Agency, including enforcement and fines.
“A proposal for these safety improvement works was subject to public consultation in 2022. As a result of the feedback received, the council tested alternative solutions put forward and revised its proposals for carrying out the safety works.”
The planning application will be discussed by Cheshire East Council at a meeting on 24 April.
