Green belt to go as Local Plan backed
HUNDREDS of homes will be built on Macclesfield’s green belt after a government inspector backed the council’s Local Plan.
Planning inspector Stephen Pratt has approved Cheshire East’s Local Plan which states what houses will be built in Macclesfield until 2030 and beyond.
The plan was first submitted nearly three years ago after years of drafting. There have been nine consultations,with 60,000 responses.
Mr Pratt asked the council to remove a proposal to develop ancient woodland at Cock Wood, but more than 100 hectares of green belt in south-west Macclesfield which were added to the plan just earlier this year remain in the approved version.
MP David Rutley has said he’s ‘very disappointed’ with the decision.
He said: “It’s a missed opportunity to put real focus on brownfield and windfall sites in the town centre and to further boost the town centre regeneration. I’m calling on Cheshire East council to redouble its efforts to regenerate the town centre and set out clear infrastructure plans to support the sites set out in the Local Plan.”
The plan includes 4,250 homes for Macclesfield.
The green belt earmarked in south-west Macclesfield is in addition to sites in earlier drafts including the King’s School site at Fence Avenue and Gaw End Lane in Lyme Green.
Tim Whiteley, from Save Macclesfield Green Belt, said the council should take better account of ‘windfall’ planning approvals, which are given outside of the Local Plan.
He said: “SMGB’s lawyers are looking at the report. Should they find errors, there may be a chance a Judicial Review could be triggered which will delay the whole plan.”
A Cheshire East spokesman said: “The inspector heard evidence regarding the green belt around Macclesfield and in his recent letter endorsed the approach taken by the council with regard to housing numbers, spatial distribution and green belt, among other matters.
“One of the amendments he has suggested is to include an allowance for windfalls as part of our housing numbers. However, he has not suggested that as a way to reduce the green belt allocations but as a way of providing greater flexibility to meet housing need.”
The council will consult on the inspector’s recommended modifications before its final amendment and adoption.