Local plan scoping consultation

I write in advance of the 01 September deadline for comments on the scoping consultation, in particular the importance of protecting and retaining Green Belt land on the edge of Macclesfield.

I am a resident of Blakelow Road, and my views are shared by neighbours and also the many local people who value our Green Belt for the buffer and visual transition it provides between the built environment and the open countryside on the edge of the Peak District National Park.

In response to the increase in housing requirements (ref 3.3 onwards), brownfield and greenfield sites should be prioritised for development (not Green Belt).

There are strong reasons to protect Green Belt land, particularly on the eastern edge of Macclesfield where the elevated nature of the land means that any building would dominate and significantly affect the landscape in a negative way, including visually and environmentally.

Existing Green Belt between Blakelow Road and Buxton Old Road strongly contributes to curbing the sprawl of the second largest town in the borough and to preserving the character of the surrounding area.

The above points demonstrate that any loss of the Green Belt must be strongly resisted - thank you for considering my comments and the importance of protecting Green Belt during the planning process.