Residents may be aware that cityside property developers have put forward a consultation for a housing development off Moor Lane in Wilmslow. It is a semi-circular site around Yates Grove.
The proposal is for 88 properties consisting of terraced cottages and farmstead-type larger homes. Access routes off Moor Lane and the installation of pavements in front of the development are also proposed.
Details of the proposal can be found here including an opportunity for feedback from residents: Home | Moor Lane
Whilst Residents Of Wilmslow appreciate the developer’s wish to “take a collaborative approach to development, working closely with local authorities, consultants, stakeholders, and residents throughout the planning and delivery process”, we believe that this proposal is, amongst other reasons, wholly inappropriate in this green belt location, located so closely to the Lindow peat bog.
RoW is encouraging residents to comment on this consultation. It is important to bear in mind that the images and plans shown here may not be the same as the actual plans. Should the proposal move forward to the next stage of a full planning application, more detailed responses can be given at that time.
At this stage, broader comments about the proposal are needed. If the developer were to present a full planning application, then they would need to respond to resident’s feedback from this consultation.
RoW’s key concerns with this proposal are:
- This site is green belt not grey belt, as recognised by the developer, because:
- The site makes a strong contribution to Green Belt purpose because it forms part of the open countryside separating Wilmslow from other communities. Development of 88 houses would materially reduce the openness and separation between the settlements.
- The proposal would result in substantial urban encroachment into open countryside, contrary to Green Belt purpose and the fundamental aim of Green Belt policy.
- Once a large housing estate is built, the settlement edge moves outward and creates pressure for further development beyond it.
2. When Cheshire East reviewed Green Belt boundaries through the Local Plan process, it chose other locations for long-term growth and did not designate this Moor Lane site as safeguarded land. That indicates the site was intended to remain within the Green Belt.
3. Highway access arrangements are unsuitable for a development of this scale and would result in unacceptable impacts on highway safety, pedestrian safety and the condition of the local road network.
If you would like to discuss this matter further, we encourage you to contact us by email at: residentsofwilmslow@gmail.com