THE MP for Holmes Chapel is urging Government to make sure green spaces are protected as it looks to overhaul the planning system.

Fiona Bruce, Conservative MP for Congleton, has met with Housing Minister Chris Pincher to share residents’ concerns about what the plans could mean.

She told Mr Pincher it is vital greenfield areas are protected and that residents’ views will still be heard throughout the planning process.

Mrs Bruce is now urging residents to have their say in a Government consultation on the proposals to make sure they get their message across to lawmakers.

She said: “Our constituency has seen a lot of development in recent years, so it is vital that as many people as possible make their views known.

“I encourage people to respond to ensure that we maintain the protection for our precious greenfield areas which our current local plan provides for – particularly since this was so hard fought for over so many years when the planning system did not provide adequate protection.

“It is vital to prevent the further overloading of our local services – schools, roads, medical facilities.

“It is also vital that elected councillors are able to scrutinise individual planning applications, as now, and that community engagement remains strong at the next local plan making stage.”

Mrs Bruce also wants to see special protection for sites such as Jodrell Bank continue, as well as the role of neighbourhood plans.

The Government’s proposals include dividing land into three categories – growth areas for substantial development with automatic permission for outline planning applications, renewal areas that would be considered for some development, and protect areas with tougher controls.

Find out more and take part in the consultation at gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-for-the-future