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

E-Petition - WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY! PART 1

392 and counting!

When Lark Hall Road resident Miceal Barden set up his online petition in early May, his aim was to get as many signatures as possible.  Hundreds of residents have turned to Miceal's Website, appalled at Cheshire East Council's over complicated and almost impossible attempt to consult online.  Your comments have been pass onto Cheshire East Council, along with complains over their website. 

HERE'S WHAT SOME OF YOU HAD TO SAY... 

Miceal Barden on May 6, 2013

Comments: Protect the Greenbelt, fields like these help keep Macclesfield green - don't let them destroy the landscape

Name: Nigel Moss on May 6, 2013

Comments: I oppose this proposed building on the Green Belt land which also has been designated as an Area of Special County value. We must do all we can to oppose the motion. To loose this land would be an absolute travesty.

Name: Nigel Dean on May 7, 2013

Comments: There is lots of land which is not greenbelt that could be built on.Of course houses built on greenbelt sell for more ,are easier to sell and more profit can be made.Thats why the developers want it I am sure that the local hospice would loose a lot of support if this went any further as I believe that they own a share in part of this land .Leave this beautiful area alone.

Name: Lorraine Hancock on May 8, 2013

Comments: Greenbelt is green belt and is NOT for building on. I bought my house 2 years ago to look at the wonderful views across the fields to the hills, I did not buy it to look at a load of houses that will ruin the view!

Name: Richard Dixon on May 9, 2013

Comments: This is an area of outstanding natural beauty and in my opinion the ground is unsuitable for development especially as there is a mineshaft. To attach additional houses to the existing estate will put extreme pressure on the estate's entrance and exit.

Name: Gloria Appleby on May 9, 2013

Comments: What about the wild life,will they relocate. Where will the access be, it is dangerous to use direct access and exit onto Buxton Road. Have Cheshire east changed its opinion of the area of being special county value.     

Name: Judith Barden on May 9, 2013

Comments: The ethos of Green Belt designated land is to preserve our countryside- when it's gone, it's gone forever.

John Lamidey on May 10, 2013

Comments: I have lived in the area for 27 years. The infrastructure, particularly the roads, gas, electricity, water supply and sewerage/drainage is very old and dilapidated, the original development being in the 1950s, with no significant upgrade since. I strongly suspect that this development will show up these weaknesses and cause major disruption to the area plus significant unbudgetted costs to put matters right - if that is actually possible. Major infrastructure enhancement for the whole area will be needed and I suspect this has not been costed or examined in the necessary detail. 

Val Pownall on May 10, 2013

Comments: Having lived in the area all my life, I cannot believe that this is even being considered in such an outstanding area - it would be a disaster and would ruin what bit of countryside we have left, and a real disaster for the wildlife

T Whiteley on May 10, 2013

Comments: Another area of beautiful green belt land under threat. Planning Policy states that brown field sites, of which Macclesfield has many, should be developed before any green belt and that green belt should only be developed in exceptional circumstances. With sites such as Astra Zeneca, and other brown field sites being left out of the consultation, the council are not exploring all the options. Gaw End and Tytherington Business Park have been removed from the previous consultation - why? Exceptional circumstances would be needed to justify developing green belt - there are none! 10,000 objections to the last consultation. CEC - are you listening?      

Hayley Diken on May 10, 2013

Comments: I grew up on the larkhall estate and had a wonderful childhood with all the lovely fields around. I have since moved back with my own young family and they love walks over the proposed field looking around the pond. It would be absolutely devastating if they were to build. The amount of traffic it would cause pulling out onto Buxton rd would be ridiculous and what is now a safe estate for young families would not be so safe anymore. Instead of destroying a beautiful spot in Macclesfield why not build on one of the eyesaw spots, ie the derelict factory next to Tesco.

 Kim Wardle-Paylor on May 10, 2013

Comments: I've got 7.5 acres they can buy for building, much better plot and not likely to annoy the neighbours, 

Kathryn Johnson on May 10, 2013

Comments: This area of green space is so valuable to the local community. It is a frequently used resource for local families, many nature walks run around and through the area. The appeal of the area will simply be destroyed. The development will affect so many people and is just not necessary. 

MORE COMMENTS TOMORROW...

THE SLOW DEATH OF SWAN'S POOL?

You're BARD from building on our Green Belt!

Chairman of the Whitney Croft Association - David Bard has spoken out against Cheshire East's Council's consultation about building at the Lark's Hall / Swan's Pool area of Macclesfield.

Mr Bard, a keen environmentalist was was one of the guest speakers at the recent, successful public meeting at St Paul's Parish Church.

He said, "If these ill-judged proposals go through - it will mean the slow death of Swan's Pool with garden fertilizer, pesticides, weed killers etc being washed downhill hill from the 135 plus gardens into the pool. 

"There will be enourmous difficulties with entry and single exit (especially) from the present estate and the extended estate with all the inevitable extra vehicles. The developers have mentioned numbers of between 135 and 237 (SLHAA 3275) homes.

"The area is Green Belt" explained Mr Bard, "...as well as Special County Value for Landscape and the Cheshire East Council document stating Macclesfield Canal Swan's Pool '...green finger of land', extending from Peak Fringes to Victoria Park.  This is a Nature Priority CONSERVATION Area"

Mr Bard concentrated mainly on Swans Pool, its location and possible age of 200 years providing water power to the early dye works. It was then incorporated into the water supplies to Brocklehurst mills in Hurdsfield, being feed from the two reservoirs behind Whitney Croft.

Mr Bard finished by saying, "The developers can do nothing about it, but CEC could stop it by keeping site “W” in the Green Belt."

David Bard (far left) - speaking up for our Green Belt!

STATEMENT FROM DAVID RUTLEY MP

Photo Courtesy of the Macclesfield Express / Trinity Mirror

Macclesfield's MP David Rutley recently visited both sites in East Macclesfield and attended the packed Public Meeting at St Paul's Church Hall.  It was at Mr Rutley's instigation that the meeting, all 150 of people voted unanimously AGAINST any development on our precious Green Belt.

Commenting after the meeting, Mr Rutley said, 


I was pleased to be invited to attend the recent packed public meeting.  It was very clear that there was a unanimous view from the 150 people in attendance that there was no appetite for building on our precious Green Belt, and on the Lark Hall site in particular. 

I fully understand the concerns raised by local residents and I have made strong representations to Cheshire East Council on their behalf.  

I will continue to ensure that those views are heard in the weeks ahead.  As the final version of the Local Plan is established, it is critical that more focus should be given to developing Brown Field sites, which are the priority for development in and around Macclesfield. 

PACKED MEETING UNANIMOUSLY AGAINST GREEN BELT PROPOSALS

It was standing room only, as 150 residents packed into a Public Meeting to discuss Cheshire East Council's proposals to develop on Macclesfield's Green Belt.  The Macclesfield Express advertised on their website and residents displayed posters in their windows to advertise the meeting... 

The meeting was held just before the end of Cheshire East's consultation on potentially building on Macclesfield's Green Belt.

The meeting was organised and chaired by former Mayor and Macclesfield Councillor David Neilson, speakers also included David Rutley MP, David Bard, Chairman of the Whitney Croft Association and Eileen Furr, who is campaigning against development of the land, East of Fence Avenue

Councillor David Neilson said, "We were delighted with the turn out - I don't think we could have got any more in.  What was clear is that this final rallying call for residents to finish the consultation on a high was hugely successful.  We collected over 100 signatures on the night, adding to the hundreds we have already received.  I presented these to the planning department on Friday.  I'm delighted that residents have got involved with such vigour.  Also, residents have passed on concerns about the way Cheshire East Council handled the consultation.  Residents complained bitterly it was impossible to take part in the consultation on the Council's confusing website." 

David Rutley MP said, "I was pleased to be invited to attend the packed public meeting on 28^th May.  It was very clear that there was a unanimous view from the 150 people in attendance that there was no appetite for building on our precious Green Belt, and on the Lark Hall site in particular.  

I fully understand the concerns raised by local residents and I have made strong representations to Cheshire East Council on their behalf.  I will continue to ensure that those views are heard in the weeks ahead.  As the final version of the Local Plan is established, it is critical that more focus should be given to developing Brown Field sites, which are the priority for development in and around Macclesfield."

David Bard, Chairman of the Whitney Croft Association said, "150 people turning up on a bad night was a sign of the unanimous feelings and objections against building at Lark Hall/Swans Pool area. I was pleased to have been able to make a contribution including the problems with access and other amenities if these ridiculous plans go ahead."

Campaigner Eileen Furr who is campaigning against development of the land, East of Fence Avenue told the meeting, "There are no exceptional circumstances that necessitate the rolling back of the green belt ANYWHERE in Macclesfield. Sufficient brownfield sites exist to fulfill all our housing requirements for the next twenty years."

The results are expected in August / September - 

WATCH THIS SPACE!