High Peak MP worried area is seeing too much new housing being built too fast

Many sites across the borough are currently under construction and planning permission has already been granted for even more houses to be built.

I am very concerned about the scale of this development and the pressure this is putting on our infrastructure and public services.

There are already significant traffic problems in Buxton and along the A6 corridor and the major developments taking place in Buxton and Whaley Bridge are only going to add further pressure.

That’s why I hosted a summit between High Peak Council, Derbyshire County Council, East Cheshire Council and Stockport Council to find a way to work together cross-border and solve those traffic problems.

So I am disappointed that Labour-run High Peak Council is pushing ahead with its accelerated housing delivery programme, which involves selling council-owned land to developers.

A number of sites have been identified across the High Peak, including Hogshaw in Buxton, which the council is currently holding a consultation on the sell-off on.

I know that many people are very concerned about these proposals, particularly the loss of Hogshaw Rec and the impact that this would have on local wildlife and biodiversity.

An online petition has sprung up and already been signed by more than 2,000 local people.

You can read the council’s full proposals here.

I would strongly encourage readers to respond to the consultation and make your views known by emailing [email protected] and copying me in on [email protected].

Alternatively, you can respond by post at: Hogshaw Disposal Consultation, Buxton Town Hall, Market Place, Buxton, SK17 6EL.

All responses must be submitted by February 26.

I am not against building new homes, but they need to be built in the right places, with the infrastructure and public services in place to cope.

I sincerely hope the council listens to local people and rethink their ‘accelerated’ plans.