The people of Audley in Newcastle-under-Lyme are proud of their green spaces, and in this week of Staffordshire Day, they want to say no to the release of the land south-east of the M6 from its green belt status for development. The petition
“further declares that this proposed change of use would be significantly detrimental, particularly to the Parish of Audley… and further declares that the proposed development would result in poor air quality, noise, litter, loss of habitat and illumination for up to twenty-four hours a day, as well as severely impacting the views across the Cheshire plains and North Staffordshire, and having a devastating impact on the local community.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to encourage Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council not to permit land south east of Junction 16 to be considered for release from its green belt status for development.
And the petitioners remain, etc.”
Following is the full text of the petition:
[The petition of residents of the constituency of Newcastle-under-Lyme,
Declares that the land to the south east of Junction 16 of the M6 should not be released from its green belt status for development; further declares that this proposed change of use would be significantly detrimental, particularly to the Parish of Audley; further declares that the business rates income from any development would go to Newcastle Borough Council and thus be of limited benefit to Audley Parish residents, wildlife, local businesses and farming communities; further declares that the proposed employment site would represent a loss of 6% of the parish (of which all is green belt), before considering the impact of further green belt land being needed for housing, and that this would have a devastating impact on the rural character of the conservation area in the parish; further declares that there is no evidence to suggest that there are major problems with employment within the borough, and that the location of the proposed development at Junction 16 means that the jobs would be more accessible to those travelling in from further afield than to residents of the borough; further declares that the proposed development would put increased pressure on the A500/M6 roundabout and therefore subtract from the peaceful environment of rural lanes nearby for walking, horse riding, cycling and other activities; further declares that the village infrastructure would not support a large increase in vehicles on the road for access to the site, and that there is no guarantee that HGVs would not travel through the villages; and further declares that the proposed development would result in poor air quality, noise, litter, loss of habitat and illumination for up to twenty-four hours a day, as well as severely impacting the views across the Cheshire plains and North Staffordshire, and having a devastating impact on the local community.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to encourage Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council not to permit land south east of Junction 16 to be considered for release from its green belt status for development.
And the petitioners remain, etc.]
[P003196]