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Cheshire East has produced a list of sites that they are minded to recommend for inclusion in the draft Local Plan. The Larkhall site is not included in that list.

Unfortunately the Fence Avenue/Kings School site is included with a proposal to build 250 homes on that site and surrounding greenbelt. 

The map of proposed sites can be found at this link

http://moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ecminutes/Published/C00000279/M00005069/AI00021300/Macclesfieldv2.pdf

WHAT YOU SAID ON OUR ONLINE PETITION - PART 3...

We've fed your comments into our computer and here are the most popular comments against building on our green belt.  If you would like to write a guest blog on this site - then please email keepmaccgreen@gmail.com

WHAT YOU SAID ON OUR ONLINE PETITION - PART 2

KIDS SAY 'NO' TO BUILDING ON GREEN BELT!

THEY SAY A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

This is certainly true about the kids of Lark Hall Road.  Residents of all ages will be affected in the area, if we lose our Green Belt - especially the young people of the area who love to play and enjoy our open spaces.

So local kids, led by Ollie Cowey, Grace Cowey, Hannah Cowey and Martha Sutcliffe started their own, unique protest - drawing their own pictures, illustrating the need to protect our precious Green Belt.  Can these 'super heroes' help protect our open spaces? - YOU BET THEY CAN!

Local mum Tracy Cowey said, "We live opposite what we imagine would have to be the site entrance. I have three young children. I chose this area for the quiet location to raise our family and for its beauty. If this went ahead it would change it dramatically for my family and our community!"

As well as the kid's pictures, proudly displayed on the new fence at Lark Hall Road, hundreds of locals have signed and commented on Miceal Barden's online petition, signed paper petitions and sent letters of objection to Cheshire East Council.  Miceal said, "Together we can protect our green spaces, our wild life and the way of life for residents round here.  Ollie, Grace, Hannah and Martha are our heroes and are leading from the front."

COUNCILLOR DAVID NEILSON THANKS RESIDENTS FOR SUPPORT!

MACCLESFIELD EAST COUNCILLOR SAYS 'THANKS'

Councillor Neilson handed hundreds
of your signatures into Cheshire East
CouncIl - THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Macclesfield East Councillor David Neilson has thanked residents for their support against proposals to allow development on our Green Belt.  Councillor Neilson organised the hugely successful meeting at St Paul's Parish Centre, as well as collecting hundreds of signatures on a petition handed into Cheshire East Council.

Cllr. David Neilson

Councillor Neilson told us, "I would like to thank residents for packing into our recent Public Meeting - '3 days to Save our Green Belt' at St Paul's Parish Hall.

"I have personally handed in hundreds of petitions and dozens of letters.  Hundreds have signed the online petition and also written to the council directly, protesting about these ridiculous proposals that, if approved will change our area forever.

Thanks must also to Eileen Furr, David Bard and our MP David Rutley who all spoke eloquently at our meeting.  This was a day that residents stood together - I was proud to organise it and thanks also must go to St Paul's Parish Centre who waived any fees to ensure this vital meeting happened.  It's great to see the community working so hard in this non-political, community campaign."

CHASING RAINBOWS OVER OUR GREEN BELT.

IS SOMEONE TELLING US SOMETHING?

They say that a rainbow brings us luck, well our eagle eyed campaigners spotted rainbows recently over both the land East of Fence Ave and Lark Hall.  Is someone trying to tell us something?

These stunning pictures were taken by Eileen Furr and Dave Hennigan showing the beauty of the areas that are under threat from developers.

LET'S HOPE THERE IS NO POT OF GOLD FOR DEVELOPERS AT THE END OF THIS PROCESS!

DAVID RUTLEY MP'S VISIT TO THE LAND EAST OF FENCE AVENUE.

Residents angered by the proposed loss of precious Green Belt to the east of Fence Avenue were pleased to accompany MP David Rutley on a recent tour of this beautiful rolling countryside. The walk included a pleasant stroll along the canal from Buxton Road towards the bridge at Higher Fence Road. 

This is an Area of Special County Value for Landscape and the views across the canal did not disappoint.  There was very little spring sunshine but the wildlife was much in evidence:  mallards cruised by in the canal waters, sheep bleated and lambs gamboled in the fields and there was even a fly-past by a pair of Canada Geese. It was easy to believe we were in the heart of the Peak District. The dog walkers and joggers we encountered looked surprised to meet their local MP, still in his business suit, on the canal towpath. But this is a man who likes to know what is of concern to his constituents.

What residents cannot understand is why such a site should be chosen as a preferred option for housing development: it is sandwiched between two Conservation Areas, and is, as already mentioned (it bears repeating), an Area of Special County Value for Landscape. Nothing has changed since this status was conferred. Peter Yates, ex-chief Planning Officer of Macclesfield Borough Council, has identified sufficient Brownfield sites to eliminate the need to roll back the Green Belt and according to doorstep pronouncements in Hurdsfield by Michael Jones, he appears to agree.

All this land is Green Belt, owned in the main by the King’s School. Their wish is for CEC to remove it from its protected status so they can sell it to a housing developer; the considerable proceeds would then be used to build a new school and playing fields on another Green Belt site in southwest Macclesfield. 

David Rutley MP said, “I was pleased to have the opportunity to learn more about the views of local residents concerning the Fence Avenue site.  Strong concerns were expressed about the proposed option for development on Green Belt land on this site.  Having seen the site, it is also apparent that the topography is not the easiest for large scale house building away from the existing school site.  I have registered these concerns with the Leader of Cheshire East Council and will continue to follow up on these issues in the months ahead."

EILEEN FURR