Local plan scoping consultation

I am writing to submit my formal objection to the potential allocation and release of Green Belt land along Shrigley Road, Bollington, for residential development within the emerging New Local Plan. Specifically, this objection relates to Land East of 41a Shrigley Road (Site Reference: CFS 79) and Land at 59 Shrigley Road (Site Reference: CFS 277).

I request that both parcels be fully excluded from the final Local Plan allocation for the following material planning reasons:

1. Failure to Meet "Exceptional Circumstances" for Green Belt Release
Under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Green Belt boundaries should only be altered in exceptional circumstances. Cheshire East Council has not demonstrated that the requirement for 82 remaining homes in Bollington constitutes an exceptional circumstance that justifies irreversible harm to the Green Belt. Incursions into these specific plots would directly contradict the core purposes of the Green Belt by encouraging sprawl and failing to safeguard the countryside from encroachment.

2. Severe Adverse Visual Impact on the Peak Fringe Landscape
Site CFS 79 and the open elements of CFS 277 sit on an elevated, rising hillside within the Peak Fringe Local Landscape Designation. This area serves as a critical, sensitive transition zone to the Peak District National Park. Developing the eastern side of Shrigley Road would close the open visual gap between existing properties, creating a harsh, built-up urban edge. It would permanently ruin panoramic, unobstructed views toward the National Park boundary, violating local policies designed to protect valued landscapes.

3. Infrastructure, Topography, and Highway Constraints
Shrigley Road is a narrow, minor route that already suffers from modern traffic pressures. The topography of the proposed land is steeply sloping, making safe vehicle access highly problematic. Introducing further residential access points here creates severe highway safety risks. Furthermore, the steep incline and natural runoff patterns present significant surface-water drainage and localized flooding risks to lower-lying properties if the land is concreted over.

4. Unsustainable Location for Strategic Housing
The sites are located on the peripheral rural edge of Bollington, far removed from the town's core public transport links, primary services, and employment opportunities. Relying on these sites to meet housing targets directly contradicts sustainable development goals, as it will inevitably result in a heavy reliance on private car journeys. The council must fully exhaust brownfield opportunities and less sensitive infill options within existing settlement boundaries across the wider borough before destroying protected green space.

5. It's an area rich in wildlife and hedgerows.

6. Development here will impact parking on Shrigley Road. There are a number of terrace houses with on street parking which is already used to capacity.

For these reasons, I urge the planning authority to reject CFS 79 and CFS 277, and to retain the current, vital Green Belt protections on Shrigley Road.

Please acknowledge receipt of this submission and keep me updated on the progress of the New Local Plan consultation.