Local plan scoping consultation

I am writing as not far away who regularly travels through Ashley and spends time walking in and around this countryside. Although I do not live directly on the land being promoted, Ashley and its surrounding fields form part of the local countryside that I use and value, and I would be extremely concerned to see this rural landscape substantially developed.
For me, Ashley is one of those places where the transition from the built-up areas of Hale and Altrincham into genuine open countryside is still very clear. Its fields, hedgerows, wildlife, darkness at night and rural roads are precisely what make the area distinctive. Large-scale housing would permanently change that character.
Protect the countryside before considering its loss
I recognise that new homes are needed, but I do not believe the first response should be to sacrifice productive or undeveloped farmland and countryside where other previously developed opportunities may exist. Before greenfield land around Ashley is considered for major housing, I would like Cheshire East to demonstrate that it has properly examined suitable brownfield land, vacant or redundant buildings, under-used commercial sites and other previously developed land that could potentially be regenerated, redeveloped or replaced.
Reusing appropriate developed sites can bring neglected land back into productive use while reducing pressure on open countryside. I therefore ask the Council to apply a strong brownfield-first approach where this is consistent with planning policy and the suitability of individual sites.
Flooding and surface water must be taken seriously
I am also concerned by the well-documented local reports and photographic evidence of substantial standing water and flooding around the low-lying fields at Ashley, together with reports from residents of severe surface-water flows down Ashley Road during intense rainfall. These issues should be treated as a fundamental site-selection consideration rather than something left until a later planning application.
Any land promoted for development in this area should be assessed during genuinely wet conditions and through independent hydrological and surface-water modelling. The assessment should consider existing topography, overland flow routes, prolonged rainfall, extreme storms and climate-change allowances, and must demonstrate that development would not increase or redirect flood risk towards existing homes, roads, the railway or adjoining land.
Walking, landscape and the character of Ashley
I frequently walk in this wider area and value the sense of openness and separation from the surrounding urban areas. The experience is not limited to one particular view: it comes from the fields, hedges, vegetation, quiet roads and the continuity of countryside around the village.
A substantial housing development would introduce roads, street lighting, domestic lighting, parked cars, traffic and built form into what is presently a predominantly rural landscape. Once open countryside is built over, that change is effectively permanent. The cumulative landscape effect of all promoted parcels should therefore be assessed, rather than considering each field in isolation.
Wildlife and connected habitat
The open fields, established hedgerows, wet areas and vegetation alongside the railway provide habitat and movement routes for wildlife. Local observations include water birds using seasonally flooded land, bats feeding around gardens and adjoining open land, and other wildlife using the dense hedges and railway-side vegetation.
I would expect any site-selection process to be informed by proper seasonal ecological surveys carried out by suitably qualified ecologists. The value of connected habitat and wildlife corridors should not be underestimated simply because individual pieces of land appear ordinary when viewed separately.
The scale of change matters
Ashley is a small rural settlement. Development involving a large number of homes across several parcels would represent a major expansion relative to the existing village. The Council should consider the combined effects on roads, drainage, landscape, wildlife, public transport and the everyday character of the area before deciding that this is an appropriate location for strategic growth.
My request to Cheshire East Council
I ask the Council to give substantial weight to the protection of Ashley's countryside and to the evidence concerning flooding, landscape character and ecology when assessing land promoted for development here. I also ask that suitable previously developed and brownfield alternatives across the wider area are fully investigated before irreversible loss of farmland and open countryside is contemplated.
Please retain this representation as part of the evidence informing the new Local Plan and provide a further opportunity for public comment if land around Ashley is taken forward at a later site-allocation or draft-plan stage.