Local plan scoping consultation

Dear Cheshire East Strategic Planning Team,
I am writing to formally express my strong objection to the potential loss of Green Belt land adjacent to Blakelow Road and Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, and to ask that this land continues to be protected from development through the new Local Plan.
I understand that the land has been submitted through the Council’s “Call for Sites” process and that this does not currently give the site any planning status or mean that housing has been allocated or approved. However, I feel it is important to make my views known at this early stage.
I strongly believe that the Green Belt in this location should be retained for the following reasons:
• Protection of the Green Belt: The Green Belt provides an important separation between the existing built-up area of Macclesfield and the surrounding open countryside. Its loss would result in the unnecessary erosion of this important boundary.
• Landscape and visual impact: Development of the site would have a significant adverse impact on the existing landscape and the character of the surrounding area. The openness of the land is an important feature of the area and should be protected.
• Urban sprawl: Building on this land would extend the built-up area into the countryside and could contribute to the outward expansion of Macclesfield.
• Open countryside and visual transition: The land provides an important visual transition between the existing residential development and the open countryside. Development would permanently alter this relationship.
• Topography: The elevated nature of parts of the land means that any housing development could be particularly prominent and visually intrusive from surrounding areas.
• Brownfield land: I believe the Council should give priority to suitable previously developed/brownfield land and other appropriate sites before considering the release of Green Belt land for housing.
• Character of the local area: The proposed development would change the character and appearance of the area and would result in the permanent loss of open land which currently contributes positively to the local environment.
I therefore respectfully ask Cheshire East Council to retain this land within the Green Belt and not identify it as a site for housing development in the new Local Plan.
I would also ask that the Council gives full consideration to the cumulative impact of development around Macclesfield and the importance of maintaining meaningful and defensible boundaries between the town and the surrounding countryside.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Yours faithfully,
Clare Hunter nee Underwood