Local plan scoping consultation

We write to object to the inclusion of the following parcels of land in the Local Plan.

1. Land between Birtles Road and Sandy Lane, and land along Sandy Lane.

This land adjoins a historic quarry and tip, where significant amounts of contaminated waste have previously been tipped, including Asbestos and other chemicals. It also follows a tributary to the River Bollin, and activity on this site is likely to further pollute this important local watercourse.

Further, this area adjoins a nature reserve / an area outlined for natural recovery, and building on these sites would actively destroy natural recovery in this area which is home to a wide variety of wildlife.

Sandy Lane is a narrow country lane, and further vehicle movements in this area resulting from developments would negatively impact on road safety, in an area where collisions are already frequent, particulalry on the double blind bend in the middle of the road where the smaller plot is proposed, and at the junction with the B5087.

This area provides an important aspect of the greenbelt keeping the hamlet of Whirley seperate from nearby Henbury and Over Alderley and the increasing urban sprawl from Macclesfield. There are plenty of Brownfield sites within Macclesfileld, and to the South and North East which are more suitable for development.

2. Land along south of B5087, including land around Macclesfield Rugby Club

This area is an important part of the greenbelt keeping Macclesfield seperate from Prestbury and Over Alderley. Further this land is an important part of maintaining the rural aspect of entry into the town from this direction, and its loss would be to the significant detriment of Macclesfield's character.

The recent development of the King's School has increased traffic in this area, and the addition of further housing here would render two of the main roads into and out of Macclesfield almost completely unusable to through traffic.

3. Land along Wrigley Lane, and joining Whirley Road

This is a very rural area, and developments here would be entirely inappropriate. Whirley Lane and Wrigley Lane are both completely unsuitable for the increased amounts of traffic that such developments would encourage. They would also impact on the localy important situation of the listed Whirley Hall.

4. Land between Whirley Road and Henbury

This is an important part of the Green Belt keeping Whirley and Henbury seperate. It is popular with walkers, and is an important green space for local people. Much of the land is boggy, with environmentally significant reserves of Peat, and nearby developments have already been to the substantial detriment of the area, and subject to flooding.

5. Land along North side of B5087

We oppose the development on this land as it is an important container to urban sprawl between Macclesfield, Tytherington and Prestbury.