We, the undersigned, call on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council (NULBC) to facilitate the immediate removal of Site Allocation AB2 from the Local Plan to ensure environmental protections.
The land – to the south east of Junction 16 of the M6 – should not be released from its green belt status for development due to its significantly detrimental impact on Audley residents. The proposed employment site represents a loss of 6% of the parish's green belt, which would devastate the rural character of the conservation area.
The proposed development would likely favour commuters over local residents, increasing pressure on the A500/M6 roundabout and disrupting nearby rural lanes used by local people.
The development is expected to cause poor air quality, noise, litter, 24-hour illumination, and loss of habitat, while severely impacting views across the Cheshire plains and North Staffordshire.
As the local planning authority, tasked with producing the Local Plan, NULBC has a responsibility to listen to the overwhelming concerns of its residents and ensure the long-term protection of our Green Belt by removing Site Allocation AB2.
We therefore call on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council not to permit the release of this Green Belt land for development and to remove Site Allocation AB2 from the Local Plan.
