Local plan scoping consultation

Dear Cheshire East Council Strategic Planning Team,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the potential development of the Green Belt land off Blakelow Road and Buxton Old Road in Macclesfield.

I value this open Green Belt land and believe it is important that it is protected and retained for the benefit of current and future residents. My family and I regularly use this area for walking and greatly value having this open green space. It provides an important place for us to enjoy the countryside, exercise and spend time together, and I would be very disappointed to see it lost to housing development.

I would ask Cheshire East Council to give significant weight to the following concerns when preparing the new Local Plan.

1. Green Belt land should be protected from unnecessary development -
The Council should first give proper consideration to the development of suitable brownfield and other previously developed land before considering the release of Green Belt land. The loss of this open land would be permanent and should not be accepted unless there is an overriding and compelling justification.

2. Significant impact on the landscape and character of the area -
The proposed development would have a significant and negative visual impact on the surrounding landscape and the character of this part of Macclesfield. Building housing on the site would fundamentally alter an area that is currently open and undeveloped.

3. The Green Belt provides an important buffer -
This land provides an important visual and environmental transition between the existing built-up area and the surrounding open countryside. Developing it would reduce this separation and contribute to the further urbanisation of the area.

4. The site's elevated/topographical
position is particularly important -
The Green Belt is especially valuable where land is topographically elevated and development would be visually prominent. Housing on this site could therefore have a disproportionate impact on views and the wider landscape, making the development particularly inappropriate.

5. Protecting the character and recreational value of Macclesfield -
The Green Belt around Macclesfield contributes to the character and setting of the town. It also provides valuable open space for local residents, including those of us who regularly walk and enjoy the area. Once this land is developed, the loss of open countryside and its recreational value cannot easily be reversed.

I appreciate that the land has been suggested by developers as a potential housing site and that this does not currently constitute planning permission or a housing allocation. Nevertheless, I believe it is important to make clear at this stage that there is strong public concern about the principle of losing this Green Belt land to housing.

I therefore respectfully ask Cheshire East Council to retain the land as Green Belt and exclude it from consideration for housing development in the new Local Plan.

Dear Cheshire East Council Strategic Planning Team,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the potential development of the Green Belt land off Blakelow Road and Buxton Old Road in Macclesfield.

I value this open Green Belt land and believe it is important that it is protected and retained for the benefit of current and future residents. My family and I regularly use this area for walking and greatly value having this open green space. It provides an important place for us to enjoy the countryside, exercise and spend time together, and I would be very disappointed to see it lost to housing development.

I would ask Cheshire East Council to give significant weight to the following concerns when preparing the new Local Plan.

1. Green Belt land should be protected from unnecessary development -
The Council should first give proper consideration to the development of suitable brownfield and other previously developed land before considering the release of Green Belt land. The loss of this open land would be permanent and should not be accepted unless there is an overriding and compelling justification.

2. Significant impact on the landscape and character of the area -
The proposed development would have a significant and negative visual impact on the surrounding landscape and the character of this part of Macclesfield. Building housing on the site would fundamentally alter an area that is currently open and undeveloped.

3. The Green Belt provides an important buffer -
This land provides an important visual and environmental transition between the existing built-up area and the surrounding open countryside. Developing it would reduce this separation and contribute to the further urbanisation of the area.

4. The site's elevated/topographical
position is particularly important -
The Green Belt is especially valuable where land is topographically elevated and development would be visually prominent. Housing on this site could therefore have a disproportionate impact on views and the wider landscape, making the development particularly inappropriate.

5. Protecting the character and recreational value of Macclesfield -
The Green Belt around Macclesfield contributes to the character and setting of the town. It also provides valuable open space for local residents, including those of us who regularly walk and enjoy the area. Once this land is developed, the loss of open countryside and its recreational value cannot easily be reversed.

I appreciate that the land has been suggested by developers as a potential housing site and that this does not currently constitute planning permission or a housing allocation. Nevertheless, I believe it is important to make clear at this stage that there is strong public concern about the principle of losing this Green Belt land to housing.

I therefore respectfully ask Cheshire East Council to retain the land as Green Belt and exclude it from consideration for housing development in the new Local Plan.