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 will be writing to the Planning Inspector to set out local concerns, and call for this “safeguarded” land and the proposed area in Poynton to be reduced in size and their place in the wider economic, infrastructure and development strategy for both Macclesfield and Poynton to be more fully explained.
I have also met with Brandon Lewis MP, the Minister for Housing and Planning, to discuss these important issues.
The six week consultation on the revised version of the Local Plan is now underway and will end on 19th April. I would urge local residents to register their views on Cheshire East Council’s Local Plan page online or fill out a comment form.
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. Now is the time to set out our views.