Local plan scoping consultation

Dear Sirs

We understand that the council is preparing a new local plan and has been asking for potential development sites to be identified on green belt land.

As residents in Macclesfield for over 30 years, one of the most appealing features which brought us to the Town was its juxtaposition with the Peak District and green belt land between the Town and the Peak District – it is a delight to live in such a mix of Urban and Rural facilities.

We understand the need for additional developments – both housing and support services such as schools, doctors, hospitals and the like, but would encourage you to consider the following:

1. Developing brownfield sites ahead of the use of Green Belt land
2. Next to consider greenfield sites ahead of the use of Green Belt land

It is the Green Belt land which provides much of the character of Macclesfield to which we alluded above, and the loss of such land would have a detrimental impact on social wellbeing along with negative implications for the visual outlook of the Town. How many Towns have views from the centre of such land as leads up towards Teggs Nose and once gone, it can never be replaced?

The Green Belt land acts as an important buffer between the land which has already been developed and built upon and the open countryside and should be retained and only considered for development as a last resort once other, easier options have been fully explored and utilised.

One key feature of the landscape around the Town is that much of the land leading out of Town, especially the Eastern side, is the swift rise in elevation, such that any development on such Green Belt would be particularly dominant and intrusive.

We trust that you will consider our points in your considerations.

Kind regards

Mr and Mrs G Collins