Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 2822

Received: 27/08/2026

Respondent: Diana Moss

These documents should include the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and a peatland map to show peatland distribution and estimated volume

Comment

Representation ID: 3365

Received: 30/08/2026

Respondent: Diana Moss

Green Belt is also important for biodiversity, for providing connectivity between habitats, for recreation, and for absorbing pollution and mitigating the 'heat island' effect in bult up areas. The criteria for deciding whether land is 'grey belt' must not be limited to those listed in 3.12 but must be balanced against the positive benefits of greenbelt listed above. The current definition of grey belt weakens the protection of greenbelt and opens the door to developers making speculative planning applications.

Comment

Representation ID: 3366

Received: 30/08/2026

Respondent: Diana Moss

Development should be focused on 'brownfield' land in urban centres to avoid urban sprawl on land that provides many other benefits. However, the definition of 'Brownfield' land needs qualification. Much brownfield land is extraordinarily rich in biodiversity and is important for recreation. Open Mosaic Scrub Habitat on Previously Developed Land is one of the most valuable habitats we have. Some of our most valuable habitats and treasured places locally would have once fallen into the category of 'brownfield' land e.g. much of Tegg's Nose Country Park and Jackson's Brickworks. All potential 'Brownfield' land should have a comprehensive environmental assessment.

Comment

Representation ID: 3367

Received: 30/08/2026

Respondent: Diana Moss

The Local Plan should start with how to protect, conserve and improve our environment and to make it more resilient in the face of climate breakdown and biodiversity collapse. All other considerations including growth and development should be assessed in relation to the need to protect the environment

Comment

Representation ID: 3368

Received: 30/08/2026

Respondent: Diana Moss

A housing needs assessment is vital. New housing provision needs to provide what people need and not be developer and profit-led. It should be designed and built for the future - adapted to a changing climate (i.e. energy-efficient, built within green infrastructure that helps to reduce temperatures and absorb pollution), located in or close to town centres to reduce the need for cars and the pressure on local roads with provision for safe active travel. It must provide facilities that build mixed communities and provide easy access to nature-rich green spaces to encourage children outdoor play and foster nature-connectedness.

Comment

Representation ID: 3370

Received: 30/08/2026

Respondent: Diana Moss

The Local Plan needs to consider the impact of new housing and increased population over a range of from travel and water, to schools and doctor’s surgeries. Provision needs to be made to accommodate these new pressures. For example, more housing will increase the pressure on already over-used sites such as Macclesfield Forest, where the road network is not able to cope with the level of traffic. The Local Plan needs to consider how to work with partners to accommodate this while also including the provision of new high-quality, nature-abundant green space near to where people live.

Comment

Representation ID: 3371

Received: 30/08/2026

Respondent: Diana Moss

The natural environment is more than a 'highly valued asset' it is the absolute foundation on which the whole of our economy and lives depend. without a healthy environment and a thriving natural world we will have none of the things on which our lives depend. The Local Plan should start with how to create a healthy environment and thriving natural world in Cheshire East and then focus on how to create sustainable, climate change resilient, nature-abundant, attractive places to live and work. It should not be growth and development-led.

Comment

Representation ID: 3372

Received: 30/08/2026

Respondent: Diana Moss

Peatland is an important natural asset in the fight against climate change. The protection, re-wetting and restoration of peatland should be a priority in the Local Plan and there should be no development on peatland. This policy needs to be supported by a comprehensive map of the location of peatlands and an assessment of the volume of peat they contain.

Comment

Representation ID: 3373

Received: 30/08/2026

Respondent: Diana Moss

Climate change adaptation needs to go further towards creating sustainable and resilient communities. An important part of this is provision for local community-led food production. The Local Plan should identify how this can be accommodated and encouraged through provision of land for allotments and community gardens. Council owned farms should also have an important role to play in local food production, habitat creation, enhancement of biodiversity, water and flood management, recreation and outdoor education - all important elements of climate change adaptation.

Comment

Representation ID: 3375

Received: 30/08/2026

Respondent: Diana Moss

Once sites have been allocated within the Local Plan the Council should work with landowners and developers to create green infrastructure ahead of development e.g. to screen new building on the edge of town, to create nature-rich connected green spaces for active travel, conservation and recreation.