Local plan scoping consultation

Dear Spatial Planning Team,
I am writing to formally submit my comments regarding the scope of the new Cheshire East Local Plan. As a resident of Macclesfield, I am deeply concerned by the suggestion from property developers to include local Green Belt land next to our homes for housing development within the 'call for sites' process. I strongly object to any strategic inclusion, boundary review, or policy shift in the new Local Plan that facilitates the erosion or loss of our local Green Belt.
I request that Cheshire East Council protects and retains the existing Green Belt boundaries around Macclesfield based on the following valid planning criteria:
• Prioritisation of Brownfield and Greenfield Infrastructure: The council must adhere to a "brownfield first" strategy. The New Local Plan should exhaustively seek out, allocate, and develop previously developed land (brownfields) and non-Green Belt greenfield options across the borough before any consideration is given to altering protected Green Belt boundaries.
• Severe Visual Impact on Landscape and Settlement Character: The removal of Green Belt status from this land would inflict a significant and permanent negative visual impact on Macclesfield’s landscape. Developing this site would destroy the semi-rural character of the surrounding area, replacing open vistas with suburban sprawl.
• Preservation of the Open Countryside Buffer: The Green Belt in this specific location serves as a crucial physical and visual transition between Macclesfield's built environment and the open countryside. It acts as a vital buffer that prevents urban encroachment, safeguards the open countryside from sprawl, and maintains the distinct boundaries of our community.
• Ecosystem and Environmental Protection: Paving over this Green Belt land threatens localized biodiversity, established hedgerows, and natural habitats used by local wildlife. Preserving this land is essential for environmental resilience, carbon sequestration, and protecting the area's natural rural ecosystem from degradation.
While I understand that the 'call for sites' submissions do not currently hold official planning or allocation status, the foundational scope of the new Local Plan must explicitly reinforce Green Belt protections rather than signal an openness to its destruction.
I urge the council to listen to the community, respect the primary functions of the Green Belt as outlined in national policy, and ensure this land remains fully protected within the new Local Plan framework. Please keep me informed of the progress of this consultation and the upcoming 'Plan, Content & Evidence' stages.
Yours sincerely,

Phillip Walker