Residents have shared their 'deep disappointment' following the news that a developer is pushing ahead with plans to build on Macclesfield's green belt.

Bloor Homes has formally appealed Cheshire East Council's Strategic Planning Board's decision to refuse permission for 200 new homes on land off Prestbury Road.

Nick Cheetham, who spoke on behalf of nearly 500 objectors at last month's committee meeting,  has called on the developer to withdraw their appeal.

He said: "We are deeply disappointed that Bloor Homes has chosen to appeal the democratic decision made by Cheshire East Council's Strategic Planning Board.

"The committee rightly rejected this speculative proposal which relied on the spurious re-labelling of actively farmed green belt land as so-called 'grey belt'.

"They recognised that this land forms an integral part of the protected Bollin Valley and contributes strongly to the rural, hilly setting of Macclesfield as a historic town."

READ MORE: Developer lodges appeal after plans for 200 homes on Macclesfield green belt turned down

Nearly 500 people opposed the plans, including local MP Tim Roca (Credit: Tim Roca)

Mr Cheetham added: "We will be fighting this appeal - and we expect Cheshire East Council to do likewise - and we are confident that we will win.

"This is the first major green/grey belt test case in our area and other community groups are watching closely.

"We will shortly be launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise a fighting fund and secure expert advice.

"It is unfortunate that we must do this to counter well-financed developers and their legal teams - we would much rather be raising money for local charities.

"We sincerely hope that Bloor Homes will reconsider and withdraw their appeal. There are many brownfield sites across Macclesfield that need regeneration. That is where the focus should be - not on destroying our green spaces."

Bloor Homes believe the land should be classed as 'grey belt' as it aligns with Labour's 'golden rules', does not make a strong contribution to the relevant green belt purposes, and is 'sustainably located' on the edge of Macclesfield.

Toby Hudson, the company's strategic land director, added: "We believe Bloor is setting the example for how sustainable grey belt development should be brought forward.

"Objections to the application have come almost exclusively from nearby residents, many of whom are fortunate enough to own their own homes already.

"Bloor acknowledges these concerns and has ensured the proposals offer significant benefits to the local community."

Objectors filled Macclesfield Town Hall for the meeting on Thursday, September 11 (Credit: LDRS)

In response to Mr Hudson's comments, Mr Cheetham explained that almost 500 people submitted objections to the plans.

These includes submissions from CPRE Cheshire, Macclesfield Town Council, Macclesfield Civic Society, MP Tim Roca and several local councillors.

Mr Cheetham said: "The strength of local feeling was obvious when objectors filled the Town Hall for the planning meeting – so many attended that security had to close the doors and turn people away.

"This is not about being anti-housing. It is about, as Tim Roca put it, 'building homes in the right places'.

"Developing on green belt land should always be a last resort. Government policy is clear: build on brownfield sites first and build out the many developments that already have permission.

"It is time for developers to respect that principle." 

The current view from Riverside Park (Credit: Nick Cheetham)