Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 6700

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Brookhouse Group Ltd

Agent: WSP

I&O_7120
Contributions should apply to some forms of minor development. E.g. schemes for small housing developments as they will pace pressure on local services and where windfall development can contribute a reasonable proportion of  development, contributions must be captured.  

Comment

Representation ID: 6701

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Brookhouse Group Ltd

Agent: WSP

I&O_7121
Yes where required to mitigate adverse impacts.

Comment

Representation ID: 6702

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Brookhouse Group Ltd

Agent: WSP

I&O_7122
Where viability issues are identified the local plan can prioritise development at locations tat are sustainable and already served by infrastructure.  For example Helsby is well served by transport and services which can accommodate new development, so should be prioritised rather than seeking to deliver new infrastructure in different locations.  

Comment

Representation ID: 6703

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Brookhouse Group Ltd

Agent: WSP

I&O_7123
We agree with the overall approach if an evidenced based policy on housing mix to meet need, however there is a need to avoid an unduly restrictive policy on mix as not all sites can provide all types of housing to meet needs, based on location, size, specifics and viability.  There needs to be flexibility for mix to be agreed on specific sites, reflective of site circumstances, albeit with regard to mix policy.

Comment

Representation ID: 6704

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Brookhouse Group Ltd

Agent: WSP

I&O_7124
No – a prescriptive percentage policy for each category of housing site will be too inflexible and fail to address site specifics and viability matters

Comment

Representation ID: 6706

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Brookhouse Group Ltd

Agent: WSP

I&O_7126
We generally support the approach but have reservations of having a prescriptive policy in the type of affordable housing required, as there may be site or location specifics that dictate the type of affordable housing best suited to a site or required.   Policy needs to allow flexibility for negotiation on sites, not least as affordable needs will change over the plan period and spatially, and new delivery mechanisms may emerge. Policy must also overtly allow for viability review to avoid sites being rendered unviable.   

Comment

Representation ID: 6708

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Brookhouse Group Ltd

Agent: WSP

I&O_7128
When determining appropriate growth options and assigning land for development based on identified needs, the Local Plan should balance flood risk with other relevant constraints. The Local Plan should take into account situations where detailed assessment of sites shown as at risk of flooding indicates they can be allocated, provided that suitable mitigation measures and improvements are implemented.  

Comment

Representation ID: 6710

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Brookhouse Group Ltd

Agent: WSP

I&O_7130
It is important to keep a settlement gap between Helsby and Frodsham, because these are two distinct and separate settlements with a relatively modest gap between the two.

Comment

Representation ID: 6712

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Brookhouse Group Ltd

Agent: WSP

I&O_7132
No.  Biodiversity net gain at 10% is already causing viability and deliverability problems for some sites and developments, that otherwise would be delivery other environmental benefits as well as social and economic benefits.