Your Objection, Made Simple.
01
Green Belt Protection
Grey Belt Test
Transport & Safety
Loss of BMV Farmland
This land forms a vital, narrow buffer in the North Cheshire Green Belt. It performs anti-sprawl buffer duties between Hale/Trafford and Knutsford/Mobberley. It is Manchester's 'breathing space'.
Under national policy, Green Belt land can only be released if it meets the definition of 'Grey Belt' (previously developed brownfield land or land that makes a negligible contribution to Green Belt purposes). Open, working farmland across Ashley fails this test.
Ashley is a small, rural parish with very little public transport, infrastructure or facilities. Allocating large-scale development here violates sustainable development principles, which require growth to be focused on Tier 1 and Tier 2 urban centres.
Inadequate rural lane network, narrow railway bridges, A538/M56 congestion, and high forced car dependency.
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Settlement Hierarchy
BMV = Best & Most Versatile
Landscape & Heritage
Direct harm to 2 Local Landscape Designations, 19 Grade II listed building settings, Ashley Hall, and historic Tatton Estate hedgerows/fields.
Ecological Impacts
Adverse impacts on Cotterill Clough nature reserve/SSSI, ancient woodland, TPOs, and protected wildlife corridors.
Infrastructure Barriers
Severe surface water flood risks to River Bollin; operational noise contours and bird-strike safety zones from Manchester Airport.
Here are 8 quick-fire points. For more detail go to the:
Independent soil data proves extensive Grade 2 and Subgrade 3a land. This development therefore conflicts with national policy protecting top-tier agricultural soils.
Three Ways to Have Your Say
Whether you have three minutes or three hours, your formal representation to Cheshire East Council is crucial. Pick the method that suits you best:
Online Portal
Post
Clearly identify the issue you are commenting on, explain why you think it is important and, where possible, suggest how the local plan should address the issue.
By email: localplan@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Click the button below to be taken straight to the Cheshire East Council Online Portal (max. 100 words but can attach documents).
Cheshire East Council (Strategic Planning Team),
By letter:
Delamere House,
Delamere Street,
Crewe,
CW1 2LL
Online Portal Guide
1.Access the Portal
Navigate to the Cheshire East Council planning portal:
2.Create an Account
First enter your email address. You are then sent a code to this email address to validate it.
3.Enter Contact Details
Supply name and address.
4.Write Comments
Optionally attach up to 4 files. Maximum file size 20MB.
Click on a blue 'Comment' button.
Then pick a password, agree to the privacy statement and then select the topics you would like to be contacted about.
Up to 100 words.
5.Attach Files
6.Click Submit
The deadline for representations is strict (5pm, Tuesday 1st of September). Don't let this opportunity pass—your action now directly protects Ashley's future.
To ensure community representations carry maximum legal weight residents must focus on valid planning principles.
VALID Planning Objections:
Incompatibility with spatial settlement hierarchy and national planning rules.
Severe traffic generation on unsafe, narrow rural roads.
Harm to Green Belt openness and merging of distinct towns/villages.
Permanent loss of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land.
Harm to the setting of Grade II listed buildings and Local Landscape Designations.
Absence of core infrastructure (schools, healthcare, utilities, deep drainage).
INVALID Objections (Do Not Include):
General resistance to local change without policy backing.
Impact on private views or local house prices.
Construction-phase noise and disruption (irrelevant at the site allocation stage).
Every objection strengthens our community's stand. Confirm your representation has been submitted.