Local plan scoping consultation

I am writing to formally object to the inclusion of the291.03 hectares land submission around Ashley (12 adjoining sites totalling 291.03 hectares) in the Cheshire East Local Plan/ SHELAA.
1. Conflict with Green Belt Policy.
The parish of Ashley is designated as “wash-over” Green Belt -the most protective form of rural Green Belt classification.
This Regional Strategic Buffer was established in the 1950’s to prevent urban sprawl. Ashley forms a crucial narrow Green buffer separating South Manchester and Trafford (Hale,Hale Barns,Altrincham) from the villages and towns in Cheshire East(Mobberley ,Knutsford).
Under national policy, Green Belt land can only be considered for release if it meets the definition of “Grey Belt” ( previously developed brownfield land or land that makes a negligible contribution to Green Belt. The open working farmland across Ashley clearly fails the National “Grey Belt” test.
Direct Conflict with Core Green Purposes( NPPF):
Purpose A- check unrestricted sprawl- Ashley serves as a green barrier preventing the Manchester conurbation from spreading southwards.
Purpose B-prevent towns merging- building across these 291.03 hectares would physically merge Greater Manchester settlements with Cheshire villages and towns.
Purpose C-safeguard the countryside and protect productive agricultural land from suburban encroachment.Protecting this land aligns with national policy to preserve prime agricultural resources.

2. Sustainable Development Hierarchy: Ashley is a very small rural parish with very little public transport,primary infrastructure,medical facilities or local employment.
Allocating large-scale development here violates sustainable development principles, which require growth to be focused on Tier1 and Tier2 urban centres.

3.Highways and Safety : the surrounding rural road network, constrained by narrow railway bridges and single-lane pinch-points cannot safely accomodate thousands of additional vehicle movements to and from the A538 and M56.

4.Inadequate Rail Connections :Ashley train station lacks the service capacity needed for sustainable transit.It operates on a maximum frequency of just one train per hour in each direction, and with the planned new station at Cheadle progressing prospective service reallocations would reduce Ashley’s service frequency to one train every two hours rendering rail commuting unfeasible for new residents.

5.The land falls directly within flight path operational noise contours and bird-strike hazard safety zones making it unsuitable for high-density housing development.

6.Drainage and Utilities: The area lacks deep sewer, grid,and surface water drainage capacity, presenting high surface-water flood risks to the River Bollin catchment.

7.Loss of High-Grade Agricultural Land (BMV). Independent soil surveys (including
HS2 Phase 2b data ) confirm that the land contains Grade2 and Subgrade 3a Best and Most Versatile (BMV ) agricultural land ,which National Policy protects for food security.

8.Environmental Heritage Harm: Development would cause irreparable harm to the Bollin Valley and Parklands LLD, Rostherne/Tatton Park LLD, Cotterill Clough Nature Reserve, ancient woodlands, protected species corridors, and the setting of 19 Grade two listed buildings ( including Ashley Hall )

For all of the above reasons I request that Cheshire East Council will formally classify this 291.03 hectare area (12 adjoining sites totalling 291.03 hectares) as Unsuitable and Undeliverable in the SHELAA assessment.