MP says ‘Speak up’ to protect your communities and valued green spaces
Congleton MP, Fiona Bruce, is urging all her constituents to contribute to the recently launched consultation on the Cheshire East Local Plan in order to protect local communities and cherished green spaces.
Fiona said:
‘In recent months greenfield sites across the Congleton Constituency have been targeted by developers. Engaging in this consultation is hugely important as a contribution towards the development of a Local Plan which really will reflect the wishes and views of local people for the future development of our area, and to provide a defence against development in unwanted areas.’
The consultation, which was due to commence on the 15th January has been brought by forward by the Council. It both identifies draft designated development sites, across Cheshire East and thereby effectively provides greenfield sites and green spaces – not designated in the draft plan as developable - with the protection they require against future planning applications.
The consultation will still run until the 26th February.
Residents can view the document online by visiting www.cheshireast.gov.uk/localplan. Copies are also available for viewing at Cheshire East Service Centres, libraries and the Council’s Headquarters at Westfields, Sandbach.
Responses can be emailed to localplan@cheshireeast.gov.uk or sent by letter to Spatial Planning, Cheshire East Council, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 1HZ.
In speaking about the importance of commenting on the consultation, Fiona said:
‘This is the most significant and important opportunity which residents will have to shape our local communities for years to come. I am therefore urging everyone concerned about the future of our area to take the time to comment on this draft Development Strategy. The proposals in it are not binding at this time, so if a local community has concerns about anything within the draft plan – or indeed wants to put forward alternative proposals- people should voice their concerns now. The importance of the final Local Plan in influencing local planning decisions cannot be overstated.’
Parliamentary Question by Fiona Bruce - House of Commons 17th December 2012
Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): My constituents in Sandbach are furious that the Hind Heath road planning application, for 269 houses on prime agricultural greenfield land, has been granted on appeal. The pressures on roads, services and infrastructure will be unsustainable, and the decision flies in the face of localism, as the area was not classed for development under the Sandbach town plan. Will the Minister explain how development on such a wholly unsustainable site can be justified and what can be done to ensure that further, similar applications by developers are not granted across my constituency?
Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): My constituents in Sandbach are furious that the Hind Heath road planning application, for 269 houses on prime agricultural greenfield land, has been granted on appeal. The pressures on roads, services and infrastructure will be unsustainable, and the decision flies in the face of localism, as the area was not classed for development under the Sandbach town plan. Will the Minister explain how development on such a wholly unsustainable site can be justified and what can be done to ensure that further, similar applications by developers are not granted across my constituency?
Nick Boles: My hon. Friend has been a tireless advocate for the residents of Sandbach. She will understand that I cannot comment on particular cases, but I think it is fair to say that her local authority has been a bit backwards in coming forwards with a Local Plan. However, I am glad to say that, under its energetic new leadership, it has recently published a draft plan for public consultation, which will provide her constituents with a defence against speculative development.
