Local plan scoping consultation

I strongly support the protection of Green Belt land and believe the new Local Plan should establish a clear presumption against its release for development where reasonable alternatives exist.

The council should require the fullest possible use of brownfield land, previously developed land, underused sites and suitable land outside the Green Belt before any Green Belt site is considered.

Green Belt should not be treated as a convenient source of development land simply because it is easier or more profitable to build on. Once developed, this land is effectively lost permanently, together with its role in preventing urban sprawl, maintaining separation between settlements and protecting the character of the countryside.

Any proposed alteration to Green Belt boundaries should therefore be supported by clear and robust evidence demonstrating that all reasonable non-Green-Belt alternatives have been properly assessed and exhausted, and that genuinely exceptional circumstances exist.

The Local Plan should also consider the cumulative effect of multiple Green Belt releases. Individual developments may appear limited in isolation, but together they can lead to substantial loss of open countryside, increased urbanisation and the gradual merging of towns and villages.

I therefore ask the council to make Green Belt protection a firm principle of the new Local Plan and to adopt a genuine brownfield and non-Green-Belt-first approach to future development.

The new Local Plan should place much greater emphasis on identifying, prioritising and delivering brownfield and previously developed land before considering development on Green Belt or open countryside.

Brownfield land is often more sustainable because it can make better use of existing roads, public transport, schools, utilities and local services, while also helping to regenerate neglected or underused parts of towns and settlements.

The council should carry out a thorough and transparent assessment of available brownfield land across Cheshire East and demonstrate clearly why such sites cannot meet housing and development needs before any Green Belt release is considered.

Where brownfield sites are difficult to develop because of contamination, ownership, infrastructure or viability issues, the council should explore ways of overcoming those barriers rather than defaulting to easier greenfield sites.

The Local Plan should also encourage appropriate higher densities in suitable urban locations, particularly where there is good access to public transport, shops, employment and services.

A genuine brownfield-first approach would help meet housing need while reducing pressure on the countryside, protecting Green Belt and supporting the regeneration of existing communities.

Economic growth should be supported where it creates good local jobs, strengthens town centres and existing businesses, and makes effective use of suitable previously developed land.

However, economic growth should not be used as a justification for unnecessary development on Green Belt or open countryside. Growth must be planned alongside adequate transport, utilities, schools, healthcare and other infrastructure, with development directed to locations where it can be supported sustainably.

The Local Plan should also recognise that the quality of the local environment is itself an economic asset. Cheshire East’s countryside, distinctive towns and villages and overall quality of place help attract residents, visitors, businesses and investment.

Economic growth should therefore be balanced with protecting the environment, avoiding urban sprawl and ensuring that new development genuinely improves existing communities rather than placing additional pressure on already stretched infrastructure.

The spatial development strategy should direct growth to the most sustainable locations, prioritising brownfield and previously developed land, existing settlements and areas with strong transport links, services and infrastructure. Development should avoid unnecessary loss of Green Belt and open countryside and prevent the gradual merging of towns and villages. Housing and employment growth must be planned alongside schools, healthcare, roads, public transport, drainage and utilities. The strategy should protect the distinct character of Cheshire East’s communities while ensuring development takes place where it can be properly supported and deliver lasting benefits.

Any increase in housing provision should be based on robust evidence of genuine local need and should not automatically lead to development on Green Belt or open countryside. The priority should be brownfield, previously developed and well connected sites with existing infrastructure. New housing must be matched by schools, healthcare, transport, drainage and utilities, and should include genuinely affordable homes. The council should avoid simply increasing housing numbers without considering cumulative environmental impact, local character, infrastructure capacity and the quality of development being delivered.