Local plan scoping consultation

I strongly object to the proposed housing allocation on land between Ryecroft Lane and Pavement Lane, Mobberley.
This land represents vital Green belt, serving to prevent merger of Knutsford with Mobberley and therefore protecting the distinctive rural character of Mobberley as a village. The character and history of the village, as a peaceful, countryside setting is hugely valued by village residents and visitors.
The infrastructure supporting the village is already limited, with narrow roads and footpaths, insufficient to support additional housing.
Development of this land for housing, would therefore remove the space between Mobberley and Knutsford that maintains their separate identities and the new homes, additional lighting and expansion of infrastructure that would be required, would transform the Green belt that surrounds Mobberley village and preserves its character into a surburban housing estate.
Any development around Mobberley village should be undertaken in a way, and in a location, that does not lead to Mobberley being merged with other, larger towns that are very different in character.
The land between Ryecroft Lane and Pavement Lane also provides vital drainage in the immediate area. The land itself, adjacent gardens down Mayfield Road; and the road on Pavement Lane alongside are all regularly flooded in winter months with the road impassable in places. Development of the land would reduce drainage, increase surface water run-off and therefore significantly increase flood risk to local properties.
The land is also a critical habitat for wildlife, including bats - the mature oak trees along the land boundary provide perfect habitat for bats, which can be seen each night using the hedgerows along Pavement Lane for foraging. Development of the land would be damaging to the local environment, negatively impact valuable biodiversity corridors, threaten mature trees that should be protected and be harmful for local wildlife including protected species.