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Local plan scoping consultation
Respondent: Mrs Rachel Garrett
Representation Summary:
Cheshire East needs more homes, including genuinely affordable homes, but that does not mean every greenfield site is suitable. The council should first show how many homes could be provided on brownfield and underused land, in town centres and on existing safeguarded land such as LPS19. It should also consider sensible increases in housing density in places already close to shops, services and public transport. We should be building up in the right places before continuing to build out into the countryside.
Full text:
Dear Strategic Planning Team,
As a resident of Bromley Road, I am concerned about the limited public greenspace and the ongoing pace of development in our area, and I would like the new plan to protect the Green Belt from further development. I would like the following matters to be included in the scope of the Local Plan, its vision, objectives and evidence base.
Housing and affordable homes
Cheshire East needs more homes, including genuinely affordable homes, but that does not mean every greenfield site is suitable. The council should first show how many homes could be provided on brownfield and underused land, in town centres and on existing safeguarded land such as LPS19. It should also consider sensible increases in housing density in places already close to shops, services and public transport. We should be building up in the right places before continuing to build out into the countryside.
Green Belt and countryside
The Green Belt boundary around this part of Macclesfield follows Whirley Road and Birtles Road. The fields beyond it help contain the town and stop development spreading into the countryside. The government’s grey-belt guidance says that open land can still make a strong contribution to preventing sprawl where development would create an extended “finger” into the Green Belt. That is a real concern with several of the sites around Birtles Road, Whirley Road and Sandy Lane. The council should follow a clear order when looking for land: make full use of brownfield and underused urban land, test higher urban densities and existing safeguarded land, and only then consider Green Belt release. If Green Belt land is needed, national policy says previously developed land should come first, followed by grey belt and then other Green Belt land. Previous council assessments found that Green Belt parcels in this area made a significant contribution to preventing the unrestricted sprawl of Macclesfield. If the council now reaches a different view, it should explain what has changed.
Landscape, nature and drainage
Development around Greenside could create ribbon or finger-like development extending beyond the existing edge of Macclesfield. The council should assess the effect on the wider landscape, views, field patterns and the rural setting of places such as Roewood Farm. The area also contains ponds, mature hedgerows, trees and wildlife links, with the former-quarry Local Wildlife Site nearby. These features should be surveyed properly and considered together, rather than dealt with separately after a site has been chosen. Local concerns about heavy clay, standing water and surface-water flooding should also be investigated through proper seasonal drainage work. Electricity pylons, easements and other constraints should be deducted before estimating how many homes a site could realistically provide.
Please take these points into account when defining the scope of the new Local Plan and preparing the next consultation stage. I would also welcome a clear account of how consultation responses have influenced the plan.
This response was prepared with the assistance of an AI drafting tool. I have reviewed it and it reflects my own views.
Local plan scoping consultation
Respondent: Mrs Rachel Garrett
Representation Summary:
The respondent argues that the Green Belt around Whirley Road, Birtles Road and Sandy Lane plays an important role in containing Macclesfield and preventing urban sprawl into the countryside. They note that government Grey Belt guidance recognises that open land can still make a significant contribution to Green Belt purposes, particularly where development would create finger-like extensions into the countryside. The respondent believes the Council should prioritise brownfield land, underused urban sites, higher-density development and safeguarded land before considering Green Belt release. They also contend that, if previous Green Belt assessments are reconsidered, the Council should clearly explain the evidence supporting any change in conclusions.
Full text:
Dear Strategic Planning Team,
As a resident of Bromley Road, I am concerned about the limited public greenspace and the ongoing pace of development in our area, and I would like the new plan to protect the Green Belt from further development. I would like the following matters to be included in the scope of the Local Plan, its vision, objectives and evidence base.
Housing and affordable homes
Cheshire East needs more homes, including genuinely affordable homes, but that does not mean every greenfield site is suitable. The council should first show how many homes could be provided on brownfield and underused land, in town centres and on existing safeguarded land such as LPS19. It should also consider sensible increases in housing density in places already close to shops, services and public transport. We should be building up in the right places before continuing to build out into the countryside.
Green Belt and countryside
The Green Belt boundary around this part of Macclesfield follows Whirley Road and Birtles Road. The fields beyond it help contain the town and stop development spreading into the countryside. The government’s grey-belt guidance says that open land can still make a strong contribution to preventing sprawl where development would create an extended “finger” into the Green Belt. That is a real concern with several of the sites around Birtles Road, Whirley Road and Sandy Lane. The council should follow a clear order when looking for land: make full use of brownfield and underused urban land, test higher urban densities and existing safeguarded land, and only then consider Green Belt release. If Green Belt land is needed, national policy says previously developed land should come first, followed by grey belt and then other Green Belt land. Previous council assessments found that Green Belt parcels in this area made a significant contribution to preventing the unrestricted sprawl of Macclesfield. If the council now reaches a different view, it should explain what has changed.
Landscape, nature and drainage
Development around Greenside could create ribbon or finger-like development extending beyond the existing edge of Macclesfield. The council should assess the effect on the wider landscape, views, field patterns and the rural setting of places such as Roewood Farm. The area also contains ponds, mature hedgerows, trees and wildlife links, with the former-quarry Local Wildlife Site nearby. These features should be surveyed properly and considered together, rather than dealt with separately after a site has been chosen. Local concerns about heavy clay, standing water and surface-water flooding should also be investigated through proper seasonal drainage work. Electricity pylons, easements and other constraints should be deducted before estimating how many homes a site could realistically provide.
Please take these points into account when defining the scope of the new Local Plan and preparing the next consultation stage. I would also welcome a clear account of how consultation responses have influenced the plan.
This response was prepared with the assistance of an AI drafting tool. I have reviewed it and it reflects my own views.
Local plan scoping consultation
Respondent: Mrs Rachel Garrett
Representation Summary:
Development around Greenside could create ribbon or finger-like development extending beyond the existing edge of Macclesfield. The council should assess the effect on the wider landscape, views, field patterns and the rural setting of places such as Roewood Farm. The area also contains ponds, mature hedgerows, trees and wildlife links, with the former-quarry Local Wildlife Site nearby. These features should be surveyed properly and considered together, rather than dealt with separately after a site has been chosen. Local concerns about heavy clay, standing water and surface-water flooding should also be investigated through proper seasonal drainage work. Electricity pylons, easements and other constraints should be deducted before estimating how many homes a site could realistically provide.
Full text:
Dear Strategic Planning Team,
As a resident of Bromley Road, I am concerned about the limited public greenspace and the ongoing pace of development in our area, and I would like the new plan to protect the Green Belt from further development. I would like the following matters to be included in the scope of the Local Plan, its vision, objectives and evidence base.
Housing and affordable homes
Cheshire East needs more homes, including genuinely affordable homes, but that does not mean every greenfield site is suitable. The council should first show how many homes could be provided on brownfield and underused land, in town centres and on existing safeguarded land such as LPS19. It should also consider sensible increases in housing density in places already close to shops, services and public transport. We should be building up in the right places before continuing to build out into the countryside.
Green Belt and countryside
The Green Belt boundary around this part of Macclesfield follows Whirley Road and Birtles Road. The fields beyond it help contain the town and stop development spreading into the countryside. The government’s grey-belt guidance says that open land can still make a strong contribution to preventing sprawl where development would create an extended “finger” into the Green Belt. That is a real concern with several of the sites around Birtles Road, Whirley Road and Sandy Lane. The council should follow a clear order when looking for land: make full use of brownfield and underused urban land, test higher urban densities and existing safeguarded land, and only then consider Green Belt release. If Green Belt land is needed, national policy says previously developed land should come first, followed by grey belt and then other Green Belt land. Previous council assessments found that Green Belt parcels in this area made a significant contribution to preventing the unrestricted sprawl of Macclesfield. If the council now reaches a different view, it should explain what has changed.
Landscape, nature and drainage
Development around Greenside could create ribbon or finger-like development extending beyond the existing edge of Macclesfield. The council should assess the effect on the wider landscape, views, field patterns and the rural setting of places such as Roewood Farm. The area also contains ponds, mature hedgerows, trees and wildlife links, with the former-quarry Local Wildlife Site nearby. These features should be surveyed properly and considered together, rather than dealt with separately after a site has been chosen. Local concerns about heavy clay, standing water and surface-water flooding should also be investigated through proper seasonal drainage work. Electricity pylons, easements and other constraints should be deducted before estimating how many homes a site could realistically provide.
Please take these points into account when defining the scope of the new Local Plan and preparing the next consultation stage. I would also welcome a clear account of how consultation responses have influenced the plan.
This response was prepared with the assistance of an AI drafting tool. I have reviewed it and it reflects my own views.
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