Employment Article 4 Directions - Making Consultation 2026

Support

Representation ID: 17370

Received: 17/09/2026

Respondent: Cheshire Central Partnership Board

Agent: Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside

On behalf of the Cheshire Central Partnership Board, we are pleased to express our strong support for the proposed Article 4 Direction covering Gadbrook Park.

The Cheshire Central Partnership brings together public and private sector partners with a shared commitment to promoting sustainable economic growth, investment, employment and prosperity across the Cheshire Central area. As such, we recognise Gadbrook Park as one of the borough's most significant strategic employment locations and a key contributor to the wider Cheshire economy.

Over many years, Gadbrook Park has established itself as a premier business destination, attracting a diverse range of employers and supporting substantial levels of employment, inward investment and economic activity. Its continued success relies upon maintaining a high quality business environment that can accommodate existing business needs whilst remaining attractive to future investors and occupiers.

We believe the proposed Article 4 Direction represents a proportionate and necessary measure to safeguard the long term economic function of the park. The Direction will ensure that proposals for changes of use are subject to appropriate planning consideration, enabling the Council to assess the potential implications for employment land provision, infrastructure capacity, transport networks and the overall strategic role of the site.

From a wider economic development perspective, the retention and protection of high quality employment land is increasingly important. Strategic employment sites such as Gadbrook Park play a vital role in supporting business growth, attracting investment, creating employment opportunities and enhancing the competitiveness of Cheshire as a place to do business. Uncontrolled changes of use have the potential to erode the availability of employment space over time and undermine the carefully planned balance of uses that contributes to the success of established business locations.

The Cheshire Central Partnership Board supports the Council's ambition to create the conditions for long term economic growth and believes that protecting key employment sites forms an important part of that agenda. The proposed Article 4 Direction will provide greater certainty for businesses, investors and developers, whilst helping to ensure that any future changes support, rather than compromise, the economic objectives of the area.
As Cheshire continues to position itself as a location for business investment and job creation, it is essential that strategic employment assets such as Gadbrook Park are given appropriate planning protection to maintain their contribution to the local and sub-regional economy.

We therefore fully support Cheshire West and Chester Council's proposal and encourage the adoption of the Article 4 Direction to ensure the continued success, resilience and economic value of Gadbrook Park for future generations.