Campaigners to lobby council

Campaigners opposed to the use of a green field site in Whaley Bridge for housing.

The Whaley Bridge Matters group is to protest before an extra-ordinary meeting of High Peak Borough Council on Tuesday night, when the borough’s long-awaited local plan will be discussed.

Group chairman Kevin Worthington is urging campaigners to join the protest as councillors are urged to remove a site on Macclesfield Road, known as C9, from the plan so that it cannot be developed for housing.

He said: “If it remains there will be a massive knock-on negative effect for all councillors and elected representatives in future elections, as this level of house building across the country, against the public will, is a national outrage.”

He added: “If C9 is withdrawn from the local plan, we would consider that a victory. But if it isn’t, the fight goes on. There will be another consultation period and we will be even more active.”

In December, developers Gladman Homes announced their intention to apply for permission to build 107 homes on the site, but campaigners say this would lead to an extra 150-170 cars, creating congestion and danger.

The meeting is being held at the Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton, at 7.15pm on March 18.