Cheshire East's Leader has responded to a letter sent by Macclesfield campaigners this week.

Concerns were raised by 'SAVE DANES MOSS' to Cheshire East's No. 1 Cllr Sam Corcoran, regarding the plans to build 950 houses on the fringes of a nature reserve in Macclesfield.

The reply follows our report of the open letter being sent earlier in the week.

Macclesfield Nub News first reported on the housing, retail and school plans for the Danes Moss Site in February 2022.

Peat at the site, which is a natural carbon sink. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

Cllr Corcoran, who was not leader leader when the outline planning permission for the site was approved, replied to Macclesfield Nub News via email on Thursday, in a message also addressed to the 17,000 who currently oppose the plans.

"Thank you for contacting me about the proposed development scheme known as South Macclesfield Development Area," he said.

"Cheshire East Council is not the majority landowner of the development site, but it has previously agreed to take the lead role on the development's infrastructure.

"In doing so, the council is working to ensure that the method used to stabilise the ground will protect the carbon already stored in the peat and prevent, as far as possible, further leakage.

The South Macclesfield site is popular with dog walkers. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

"If the council did not proceed with this development on its land, it is very likely that the private sector would take the lead and the council would have much less control over the ultimate development of the land.

"The Council is committed to combatting climate change. Through our Environment Strategy and Carbon Neutral Action Plan we have committed to becoming carbon neutral in our own operations by 2025 and to assist with reducing the borough's carbon footprint.

"We are committed to protecting and renewing peatland and the creation of new wetland areas across the borough and have undertaken a study in partnership with Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

"The study is intended to provide evidence regarding the feasibility and desirability of peatland protection and restoration in the borough.

Almost 1000 homes and a link road are wanted for the site. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

"Although the study does acknowledge that where strategic development allocations have already been approved, for example the South Macclesfield Development Area, the loss of stored carbon and any greenhouse gas emissions associated with the development of deep peat should be considered as part of the planning decision process.

"The current planning applications for the South Macclesfield Development Area will be considered by the Council in its role as the Local Planning Authority in due course. I have forwarded your correspondence to the Planning service so that it can be recorded as part of the process of public consultation on these applications.

"You can find out more about our Environment Strategy and Carbon Neutral Action Plan on the Council's website - Environment Strategy (cheshireeast.gov.uk).

"On our website you can also find a section on nature-based carbon capture on the carbon action plan pages https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/environment/carbon-neutral-council/carbon-neutral-council.aspx This includes access to the report Peatlands of Cheshire East.

A pedestrian entrance towards the site. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

"More information on the habitat types on SMDA can be found on the Cheshire Wildlife Trust website. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/habitats.

"Your sincerely

"Cllr Sam Corcoran

"Leader of Cheshire East Council"

Danes Moss campaigners sending a message to Cheshire East Council at a Macclesfield Leisure Centre meeting in May. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

The majority landowner the letter refers to is also the applicant TG Limited.

The off-shore company have not responded to Macclesfield Nub News' requests for comment.

They entered a deal with Cheshire East Council for the South Macclesfield Development Area in 2016.

Campaign group 'SAVE DANES MOSS' have been contacted for comment following Cllr Corcoran's response.

A sign by protestors poised at the entrance of a recent Cheshire East Council meeting. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

Macclesfield: Please click here to read the original letter the Sandbach Labour councillor is responding to.

See Also: Danes Moss Biodiversity Update June 2022: Legally Protected Species in Macclesfield 

Macclesfield: Have you signed up for our FREE Friday weekly newsletter? It contains each week's top five Macclesfield news stories, and one EXCLUSIVE article?

1400 of you have signed up already. Simly enter your email address on this link.

Free from pop-up ads, or unwanted surveys, Macclesfield Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

You can find us on Facebook and Twitter.