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I am extremely concerned that Cheshire East Council are preparing a new local plan to review development that will consider building on green belt. Any such plans should, according to the National Planning Policy Framework, only be considered under exceptional circumstances. I cannot see that there are any such exceptional circumstances. The green belt exists to prevent urban sprawl and keep land open permanently. While I do understand a need for new housing, opportunities at brown field sites have not been exhausted.
I am particularly worried that green belt land adjacent to Blakelow Road in Macclesfield is to be included in the review. This land occupies an elevated position above the town of Macclesfield and provides a very important wildlife corridor to the surrounding countryside, including the nearby Teggs Nose Country Park, a "Regionally Important Geological Site," and the Gritstone Trail. Any development will provide an eye sore from the town and destroy the views appreciated by so many hikers, dog walkers and those who amass there to watch displays, including annual fireworks.
This area includes a large portion of unimproved pastureland, woodland planted at the western end, and abuts the Leadbeaters Reservoir. In addition, at the western end, is an area that is designated for market gardening and where I myself have, with the permission of the land owner, been growing edible produce for nearly a decade. As a trained ecologist, I can attest to the range of wildlife: mammals (e.g. badger, fox, mole, meadow vole, field mouse, bats), reptiles (e.g. smooth newt, toad, frog), birds (e.g. barn owl, buzzard, sparrowhawk, great-spotted woodpecker, blackcap, chiff chaff, willow warbler), butterflies (e.g. brimstone, orange tip, holly blue, speckled wood, painted lady), trees (e.g. sessile oak, common oak, rowan, hazel, hawthorn, blackthorn, silver birch) and flowers (bluebells, wild garlic, ling, tormentil, pignut, red campion, knapweed). These are just a few of the indigenous species that our green belt helps to protect. Developing this or other green belt sites will irreversibly destroy the natural resource that is currently enjoyed by both locals and walkers. It is imperative that we protect our remaining green spaces and I strongly oppose any consideration of development.
