Local plan scoping consultation

Dear Strategic Planning Team,

I understand that East Cheshire Council are currently at an early stage of preparing a new Local Plan and are seeking comment from local residents. As I anticipate the new Plan will include a review of potential development in the area, I would like to express my strong desire for the Council to fully consider and include the significance of protecting and retaining the Green Belt.

Green spaces are an important and valuable part of the local environment and should be protected for future generations. The Green Belt and surrounding green fields provide much more than open space: they support wildlife, contribute to local biodiversity, and form valuable ecological corridors that allow birds, mammals, insects, and other species to move between different habitats and green spaces. The loss and fragmentation of these areas through housing development would have significant detrimental impact on local biodiversity.

I strongly believe that the Local Plan should stipulate that Green Belt land should not be considered for development when suitable brownfield and previously developed sites are available. The Council should give priority to the redevelopment and regeneration of appropriate brownfield sites when meeting housing needs, rather than sacrificing valuable Green Belt and greenfield land.

Other factors to consider and include:
• Landscape and local character: The land makes a significant contribution to the rural setting, landscape, and character of Macclesfield. Parts of the land are topographically elevated, which means that any housing development could be particularly prominent and visible from surrounding areas. Development would permanently alter the appearance and character of the landscape and have a significant negative visual impact.

• The function of Green Belt land: This land provides an important buffer and visual transition between the built-up area of Macclesfield and the surrounding open countryside. Maintaining this separation is essential in protecting the distinctive character and identity of Macclesfield and preventing further coalescence between development and rural areas.

• Permanent loss of green space and habitats: One developed, the open fields, wildlife habitats, ecological connections, landscape, and views currently provided by this land would be permanently lost. Unlike previously developed land, Green Belt and greenfield land cannot simply be recreated elsewhere once built upon.

I acknowledge that the Council needs to plan for future housing and that additional homes will be required. However, I believe this should be balanced against the need to protect the natural environment, landscape character, and ecological connectivity of Macclesfield. The new Local Plan should prioritise the use of suitable brownfield and previously developed sites wherever possible before valuable Green Belt and greenfield land is released.

Kind regards,
David Drake