Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 4982

Received: 27/08/2026

Respondent: Ashley Parish Council

Ashley Parish Council objects to the inclusion of a 291.03-hectare SHELAA submission comprising 12 contiguous parcels around Ashley. The Council argues the land performs a vital strategic Green Belt function by preventing urban sprawl, maintaining separation between Greater Manchester and Cheshire settlements, and safeguarding open countryside. It contends the site should not be classified as Grey Belt and must be assessed cumulatively as a single strategic landholding. The representation highlights conflicts with the settlement hierarchy, limited transport provision, highway, aviation, drainage and infrastructure constraints, loss of Best and Most Versatile agricultural land, ecological, landscape and heritage impacts, and flood-risk concerns. Collectively, these factors are said to render the site unsuitable, unavailable and undeliverable for strategic development.