While I understand that it is important for the Local Plan to be approved in the near future, in order to stop unwanted speculative developments across the Cheshire East borough, I am disappointed with aspects of the latest version of the Local Plan in relation to future impacts on the Green Belt locally.
I have strong concerns about the proposed scale of development on sites in the Green Belt in Macclesfield and Poynton during the Local Plan time horizon up to 2030. I believe that more focus should have been put on development on brownfield sites, given the time and resources that have been dedicated to shaping the Plan.
Along with many other local residents, I am also very concerned about the proposed “safeguarded” land designated for development after 2030 in South West Macclesfield, which has been significantly enlarged since the previous version of the plan.
I have written to Brandon Lewis MP, the Minister for Housing and Planning, to raise local concerns about these important issues.
In my submission to the consultation on the revised version of the Local Plan, which closed on 19th April, I set out local concerns, and called for the “safeguarded” land in Macclesfield and Poynton to be reduced in size and their place in the wider economic, infrastructure and development strategy for both of the communities to be more fully explained.
Prior to this submission, I met with the local campaign group, Save Macclesfield Greenbelt, at a well-attended meeting outside Macclesfield Town Hall. I was presented with a bundle of submissions for the consultation bound in the campaign group’s distinctive green ribbon and was able to publicly voice my concerns about the proposed Local Plan.
This is a vital issue that will have a major impact on the shape of Macclesfield, and nearby villages such as Henbury, and Poynton for decades to come. I will continue to campaign to protect our Green Belt in the weeks and months ahead.