Campaigners have set out to stop a new development on Macclesfield's greenbelt.

Residents, councillors and community groups gathered on Monday, February 10, to voice their concerns about Bloor Homes' plan to build 200 homes on land off Prestbury Road.

The meeting at The Packhorse was organised by Nick Cheetham, who launched the Macc Green Space website in response to the application submitted to Cheshire East Council last month.

Nick, 65, said: "This was a meeting of incensed local people who love our town's setting. A setting that would be degraded by a purely speculative application to build 200 houses where there is no requirement to build them.

"There are far more suitable places."

He added: "We are encouraging everybody who has an opinion on this to submit their objections.

"All too often developments happen and people say 'oh I'm not happy about that' but did you actually say anything?

"It is our democratic right, it's like voting.

"We have an obligation to make our voices heard."

READ MORE: Developer submits plans for 200-home estate on Macclesfield green belt

Around 70-80 people attended the meeting on Monday (Credit: David Nelson)

Nick, who lives adjacent to the proposed development area, feels such a project would go against the local plan in Cheshire East and the recent changes made to the National Planning Policy Framework.

He adds that Macclesfield is at a 'tipping point' when it comes to hospitals, GPs, schools and roads.

Furthermore, Nick feels that the T-junction proposed to provide access to the estate is an 'accident waiting to happen'.

He also raised concerns about flooding and the impact on wildlife.

Nick said: "The sewers on Abbey Road already overflow so adding another 200 homes will only exacerbate the problem.

"They may claim building houses and putting a bit of planting around will have zero impact on wildlife it's a fallacy, particularly given the construction period will be around five years."

At a meeting on Wednesday, February 12, Macclesfield Town Council's planning committee agreed to formally object to to Bloor Homes' planning application.

Councillor James Barber-Chadwick, vice chair of the committee, said: "Macclesfield has seen its fair share of irresponsible developments, and whilst this one has its merits, the question of whether in our eyes it meets the 'exceptional circumstances' test meant that we as a committee unanimously voted to formally object. "

Concerns were raised about infrastructure, flooding and planning policy (Credit: David Nelson)

Toby Hudson, strategic land director at Bloor Homes, said they were not made aware of Monday's meeting at The Packhorse but would have 'welcomed' an invitation to attend and 'make the case for the sustainable development of the site'.

He added: "We believe it will deliver significant benefits to both new and existing residents of Macclesfield by providing almost 100 new affordable homes, as well as newly accessible green spaces people can use and enjoy, including improved access for the existing community to Bollin Valley and Riverside Park.

"Although Cheshire East has a good housing delivery record, the Local Plan is no longer consistent with national planning policy.

"The land available for housing across Cheshire East now falls short of the minimum required.

"To help meet such a shortfall the government has identified circumstances under which low-performing Green Belt land could be developed."

He continued: "In Macclesfield specifically, there are several sites which had previously been allocated and permitted for development, but they are unlikely to be built out in the foreseeable future due to the discovery of significant peat deposits.

"Government has made it clear it wants to see a fast increase in the delivery of new homes, especially affordable homes, in sustainable locations.

"This application adheres to the new planning policy which has been put in place to support that housing growth."

Plans have been submitted to Cheshire East Council (Credit: Bloor Homes/Turley)

The application, number 25/0210/OUT, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council's website.

It is unclear exactly when comments need to be submitted by, with a 'consultation end date' of February 19 and a 'publicity end date' of February 26.

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