BIG PICTURE
PLANS NOT SENSIBLE
FROM the pictures and designs in the Macclesfield Express, the new King’s School buildings look fantastic and I wish the school a long and prosperous future in its new home.
However, the time for Cheshire East Council to determine the future of the old main site is fast approaching, and I would strongly urge the councillors to consider the following:
When planning permission for the new school was given to utilise green belt land, there were no plans to utilise the green space on the Cumberland Street site for housing. The new proposals are for the majority of that greenfield space to be used for housing, none of which can be regarded as ‘affordable’ to current residents.
The unnecessary loss of valuable green space in the centre of Macclesfield totally contradicts the council’s recent commitments around climate change.
The density of the development, and the lack of new car parking to support this, will lead to unacceptable pressures on parking for existing residents and increased traffic through an already inadequate road system with adverse consequences for the environment. The car parking provision is also in breach of the council’s own guidance.
In both greenfield and brownfield areas, the imposing nature of the proposed new buildings has severely compromised the views and privacy of existing residents.
Local residents have always been supportive of the use of the old King’s site for housing.
Unfortunately, the new plans, taken in conjunction with the associated developments on Westminster Road and north Coare Street, cannot be regarded as either sensible, sensitive or sustainable.
Julie Munday,
Pownall Street
SHOW MORAL COURAGE
HILLCREST Homes want to demolish the utilitarian War Memorial building on
Cumberland Street when the King’s School relocates, to make way for houses.
The school’s management has published numerous explanations, though surely decisions of integrity and heart require no explanation?
This is not an emergency. This is a business transaction. The pavilion was erected with love and respect. It deserves both now.
Someone’s brother, son, husband, father died for us.
I hope councillors show moral courage when debating the historic site’s fate on Wednesday,
January 29.
Rosey Green, address supplied