Local plan scoping consultation

Dear Planning Policy Team,
I wish to register my formal objection to the inclusion of extensive areas of productive Green Belt land within the proposed areas identified for potential development in the emerging Local Plan.
The Green Belt performs essential and irreplaceable functions by preventing urban sprawl, maintaining the separation of settlements, protecting the character of the countryside and supporting biodiversity. The proposal to identify large areas of Green Belt around Adlington, Bollington & Prestbury for development appears inconsistent with the fundamental purpose of Green Belt policy and risks causing irreversible harm to the landscape and local communities.
I am particularly concerned that:
• Development would result in permanent loss of natural habitats, biodiversity, carbon storage and ecosystem services, contrary to wider environmental and climate objectives.
• I believe there is insufficient evidence that all reasonable brownfield, previously developed and under-utilised land options have been fully exhausted before considering Green Belt release.
• Existing transport, healthcare, education, drainage and other public infrastructure in many affected areas is already under considerable pressure, and the Local Plan has not demonstrated how these constraints will be adequately addressed.
• The cumulative impact of multiple Green Belt releases would fundamentally alter the character and identity of many of Cheshire East's most well loved towns and villages and reduce the space & open landscape the Green Belt was established to protect.
The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that Green Belt boundaries should only be altered where exceptional circumstances are fully evidenced through the plan-making process. I do not believe the consultation documents demonstrate that such exceptional circumstances exist, nor that the scale of proposed Green Belt release can be justified or is proportionate.
Furthermore, there has already been well publicised and extensive local concern & objection to the original ‘Adlington new town’ development and the council should reflect the views of local residents & ensure these existing concerns are acknowledged in the local plan consultation. Ignoring these in developing the plan, would be an affront to local democracy & a deliberate misrepresentation of local residents views.
I therefore request that Cheshire East Council reconsider the inclusion of large areas of Green Belt around Adlington, Bollington & Prestbury and instead prioritise brownfield regeneration where appropriate and ensure that any future housing and employment growth is genuinely sustainable, evidence-led and supported by adequate infrastructure.
Please record this email as a formal representation to the Local Plan consultation and confirm that my comments have been received and will be considered as part of the consultation process.
Best wishes,
Claire Rigby
[ long time resident of Prestbury & formerly Bollington].