Local plan scoping consultation

As a resident of Belmont Avenue SK10 3JN, I have lived here since 1973 and witnessed the character of Whirley and the surrounding area, and I am objecting to the proposal to develop housing on the land at Whirley Grove, Macclesfield. I would like the land to remain undeveloped Green Belt land, and I ask that the Local Plan recognise the harm to Whirley’s rural and semi-rural character, traffic, infrastructure and countryside setting, and instead focus development on brownfield or previously developed land elsewhere in Macclesfield. I request the scope of the Local Plan to reflect these concerns and to prioritise protection of the Green Belt, while ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with any growth and the rural nature of Whirley is preserved.
If planning took place it would completely spoil our view and devalue our own property.


Roads and access

Birtles Road, Whirley Road and Sandy Lane are narrow country roads with constrained sections, limited passing opportunities and no continuous pavement, and they are already used by walkers, cyclists, horse riders, agricultural vehicles and cars. The Weaver Green development demonstrated safety (there’s already been several car accidents in so many weeks!) concerns on Whirley Road, and while the decision to route access from Chelford Road and prohibit access onto Whirley Road did not rule out future development, it does indicate that the council recognises highway safety issues. If there is any consideration that these roads could support more large housing sites, I would like clear evidence explaining why. All proposed sites around Greenside should be assessed together to avoid underestimating the cumulative traffic on Whirley Road, Birtles Road, Sandy Lane, Chelford Road and Broken Cross. Safe access, pavements, cycle routes and any necessary road widening should be demonstrably achievable before land is allocated, rather than left to be resolved later.
At the moment there is only Whirley Primary School and St Albans near the proposed planning. Both schools are in oversubscribed every school I take. I have experienced this first hand because I used to be involved in Whirley Primary Schools intake.


Infrastructure

Housing should be planned only where schools, doctors, drainage, public transport, utilities and roads can cope. The Local Plan should specify what extra infrastructure each growth option would need, who would pay for it, when it would be delivered and the costs involved. It should consider whether road improvements would require removing hedgerows, trees and verges or alter the rural character of the area.

Landscape, nature and drainage

Development around Greenside could create ribbon or finger-like development beyond the existing edge of Macclesfield. The council should assess effects on the wider landscape, views, field patterns and the rural setting of places like Roewood Farm. The area contains ponds, mature hedgerows, trees and wildlife links, with the former-quarry Local Wildlife Site nearby, and these features should be surveyed properly and considered together rather than separately after a site is chosen. Local concerns about heavy clay, standing water and surface-water flooding should be investigated through proper seasonal drainage work. Electricity pylons, easements and other constraints should be considered before estimating how many homes a site could realistically provide.

In summary, I would like the land at Whirley Grove to remain undeveloped Green Belt land, with a bias toward brownfield and previously developed land for any wider Macclesfield growth. I request the Local Plan to protect the Green Belt and avoid placing additional pressure on local roads, schools, drainage and other infrastructure, while ensuring any development respects the rural character of Whirley. Please consider alternatives to Green Belt development and provide clear justification and evidence if any sites within the Green Belt are proposed for change.

As a resident of Belmont Avenue SK10 3JN, I have lived here since 1973 and witnessed the character of Whirley and the surrounding area, and I am objecting to the proposal to develop housing on the land at Whirley Grove, Macclesfield. I would like the land to remain undeveloped Green Belt land, and I ask that the Local Plan recognise the harm to Whirley’s rural and semi-rural character, traffic, infrastructure and countryside setting, and instead focus development on brownfield or previously developed land elsewhere in Macclesfield. I request the scope of the Local Plan to reflect these concerns and to prioritise protection of the Green Belt, while ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with any growth and the rural nature of Whirley is preserved.
If planning took place it would completely spoil our view and devalue our own property.


Roads and access

Birtles Road, Whirley Road and Sandy Lane are narrow country roads with constrained sections, limited passing opportunities and no continuous pavement, and they are already used by walkers, cyclists, horse riders, agricultural vehicles and cars. The Weaver Green development demonstrated safety (there’s already been several car accidents in so many weeks!) concerns on Whirley Road, and while the decision to route access from Chelford Road and prohibit access onto Whirley Road did not rule out future development, it does indicate that the council recognises highway safety issues. If there is any consideration that these roads could support more large housing sites, I would like clear evidence explaining why. All proposed sites around Greenside should be assessed together to avoid underestimating the cumulative traffic on Whirley Road, Birtles Road, Sandy Lane, Chelford Road and Broken Cross. Safe access, pavements, cycle routes and any necessary road widening should be demonstrably achievable before land is allocated, rather than left to be resolved later.
At the moment there is only Whirley Primary School and St Albans near the proposed planning. Both schools are in oversubscribed every school I take. I have experienced this first hand because I used to be involved in Whirley Primary Schools intake.


Infrastructure

Housing should be planned only where schools, doctors, drainage, public transport, utilities and roads can cope. The Local Plan should specify what extra infrastructure each growth option would need, who would pay for it, when it would be delivered and the costs involved. It should consider whether road improvements would require removing hedgerows, trees and verges or alter the rural character of the area.

Landscape, nature and drainage

Development around Greenside could create ribbon or finger-like development beyond the existing edge of Macclesfield. The council should assess effects on the wider landscape, views, field patterns and the rural setting of places like Roewood Farm. The area contains ponds, mature hedgerows, trees and wildlife links, with the former-quarry Local Wildlife Site nearby, and these features should be surveyed properly and considered together rather than separately after a site is chosen. Local concerns about heavy clay, standing water and surface-water flooding should be investigated through proper seasonal drainage work. Electricity pylons, easements and other constraints should be considered before estimating how many homes a site could realistically provide.

In summary, I would like the land at Whirley Grove to remain undeveloped Green Belt land, with a bias toward brownfield and previously developed land for any wider Macclesfield growth. I request the Local Plan to protect the Green Belt and avoid placing additional pressure on local roads, schools, drainage and other infrastructure, while ensuring any development respects the rural character of Whirley. Please consider alternatives to Green Belt development and provide clear justification and evidence if any sites within the Green Belt are proposed for change.

As a resident of Belmont Avenue SK10 3JN, I have lived here since 1973 and witnessed the character of Whirley and the surrounding area, and I am objecting to the proposal to develop housing on the land at Whirley Grove, Macclesfield. I would like the land to remain undeveloped Green Belt land, and I ask that the Local Plan recognise the harm to Whirley’s rural and semi-rural character, traffic, infrastructure and countryside setting, and instead focus development on brownfield or previously developed land elsewhere in Macclesfield. I request the scope of the Local Plan to reflect these concerns and to prioritise protection of the Green Belt, while ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with any growth and the rural nature of Whirley is preserved.
If planning took place it would completely spoil our view and devalue our own property.


Roads and access

Birtles Road, Whirley Road and Sandy Lane are narrow country roads with constrained sections, limited passing opportunities and no continuous pavement, and they are already used by walkers, cyclists, horse riders, agricultural vehicles and cars. The Weaver Green development demonstrated safety (there’s already been several car accidents in so many weeks!) concerns on Whirley Road, and while the decision to route access from Chelford Road and prohibit access onto Whirley Road did not rule out future development, it does indicate that the council recognises highway safety issues. If there is any consideration that these roads could support more large housing sites, I would like clear evidence explaining why. All proposed sites around Greenside should be assessed together to avoid underestimating the cumulative traffic on Whirley Road, Birtles Road, Sandy Lane, Chelford Road and Broken Cross. Safe access, pavements, cycle routes and any necessary road widening should be demonstrably achievable before land is allocated, rather than left to be resolved later.
At the moment there is only Whirley Primary School and St Albans near the proposed planning. Both schools are in oversubscribed every school I take. I have experienced this first hand because I used to be involved in Whirley Primary Schools intake.


Infrastructure

Housing should be planned only where schools, doctors, drainage, public transport, utilities and roads can cope. The Local Plan should specify what extra infrastructure each growth option would need, who would pay for it, when it would be delivered and the costs involved. It should consider whether road improvements would require removing hedgerows, trees and verges or alter the rural character of the area.

Landscape, nature and drainage

Development around Greenside could create ribbon or finger-like development beyond the existing edge of Macclesfield. The council should assess effects on the wider landscape, views, field patterns and the rural setting of places like Roewood Farm. The area contains ponds, mature hedgerows, trees and wildlife links, with the former-quarry Local Wildlife Site nearby, and these features should be surveyed properly and considered together rather than separately after a site is chosen. Local concerns about heavy clay, standing water and surface-water flooding should be investigated through proper seasonal drainage work. Electricity pylons, easements and other constraints should be considered before estimating how many homes a site could realistically provide.

In summary, I would like the land at Whirley Grove to remain undeveloped Green Belt land, with a bias toward brownfield and previously developed land for any wider Macclesfield growth. I request the Local Plan to protect the Green Belt and avoid placing additional pressure on local roads, schools, drainage and other infrastructure, while ensuring any development respects the rural character of Whirley. Please consider alternatives to Green Belt development and provide clear justification and evidence if any sites within the Green Belt are proposed for change.