Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 15038

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15597
CLG are supportive of the concept of shorter local plan periods which ensure that policies and supporting evidence within Development Plans are kept up-to-date and remain relevant. Policies in the plan should reflect current and short-term future growth in the area in order to better guide and inform planning proposals and planning decisions. A shorter plan period will allow for more frequent reviews and updates, ensuring that the policies and data reflect the changing economic, environmental and social positions of the borough. By creating shorter plan period, the new Local Plan will further align with the Government’s intentions at reducing local plan review periods. Under regulation 10A of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended) local planning authorities must review local plans at least once every 5 years from their adoption date to ensure that policies remain relevant and effectively address the needs of the local community. Most plans are likely to require updating in whole or in part at least every 5 years1. A shorter plan period will allow for more realistic targets to be set within the document, ensuring more accurate monitoring in the progress and success of the Local Plan policies.

Comment

Representation ID: 15039

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15598
It is recognised that Neighbourhood Plans can play a useful role in guiding development and design matters in certain locations however, their role in meeting broader development needs should be limited. Neighbourhood Plans should not be used to constrain housing delivery or introduce restrictive policies outside of the adopted Local Plan. Neighbourhood Plans should be advisory in nature and confined to matters of local character, design preferences etc. Planning Practice Guidance (Paragraph: 044 Reference ID: 41-044-20190509) confirms that neighbourhood plans must be in general conformity with strategic policies.

Comment

Representation ID: 15040

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15599
CGV recognises that to achieve sustainable visions of the Local Plan, spatial strategies must be established, such as the strategic identification of Northwich to meet development needs. CGV supports the inclusion of Northwich within the spatial strategy, as it represents a strategically important area for both new development and regeneration. In addition to the identification of key locations within the strategy, the Local Plan must also recognise areas outside of the locations identified which will be capable of delivering employment and housing development. Areas located adjacent to the settlements identified, yet within sustainable locations, can be utilised to reduce spatial pressures of these areas.

Comment

Representation ID: 15041

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15600
The vision of the Local Plan should include a set of principles and priorities to allow for sustainable development to be established. CGV broadly supports the draft visions as set out in section VI 1 ‘Visions’ and welcomes the scope of the principles identified. However, it is considered by CGV that additional principles should be included within the vision to allow for Cheshire West and Chester to be a desirable and attractive place to live, work and visit, and to allow for future policies to accurately address these visions. CGV put forward the following principles to be considered at the next stage of the Local Plan process: Delivering Sustainable Growth: Ensure development is distributed appropriately across housing and employment land to meet the needs of communities and businesses, while delivering positive social outcomes and addressing environmental sustainability. Creating a Prosperous Economy: Grow economically but sustainably, recognising our key employment sectors. Allow people and places to prosper by supporting the creation of high-quality jobs, attracting new businesses, retaining and enhancing existing businesses, supporting opportunities to improve training and education and to retain skills and talent, and so providing an adaptable and prosperous economy Meeting a Specific Housing Need: Meet identified housing needs by delivering a mix of affordable, high-quality, and energy-efficient homes, tailored to support diverse households and changing demographic demands Given CWaC’s established housing need (1,914 homes annually, a 259.8% increase from previous targets), the Local Plan must prioritise the delivery of diverse, affordable and high-quality homes. This includes recognising that sustainable residential development on well-located Green Belt sites may be essential to address the borough’s housing emergency and contribute to national housing supply targets. Ensuring that current and future housing and employment needs are met is a crucial objective and accords with Paragraphs 61 and 85 of the NPPF which seek to ‘’boost the supply of homes’’ in accordance with the Government’s objectives and help to create conditions for economic growth and productivity.

Comment

Representation ID: 15042

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15601
Providing established visions for major settlements such as Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich, Winsford, Frodsham, and Neston/Parkgate allows the plan to reflect the distinct identities, opportunities, and challenges each area faces. This approach helps ensure that future development is not only sustainable and aligned with borough-wide principles but also grounded in the specific context of each place. Northwich's capacity for development, combined with its connectivity advantages, positions it as an ideal location for future development. The site lies to the north of the A559, directly linking the site to Northwich town centre. The site is enclosed by employment uses on either side, making it a logical location for future employment development. Additionally, the site is strategically located in proximity to a number of shops, supermarkets and services, as well as located close to schools and colleges, making it a sustainable location for housing delivery. To meet ambitious growth targets, the Council should actively consider the strategic release of Green Belt land, enabling Northwich to emerge as a hub that drives economic vitality and sustainable development across the borough.

Comment

Representation ID: 15044

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15603
CGV support the objectives taken from the Local Plan Update 2023: Sustainability Appraisal Report which provide a comprehensive framework for bringing forward sustainable development. They support a balanced approach to environmental protection, social wellbeing, and economic growth, which are key considerations in the release of Green Belt land. CGV believes that their site, land off Chester Way, complies with each of the relevant objectives outlined within Option ‘B’, as detailed below.  [See attached review of LAA site 1663 against SA objectives]
Option B - use the Sustainability Appraisal objectives

Comment

Representation ID: 15045

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15604
An alternative approach to delivering appropriate growth within the borough would be to designate established employment areas yet also identify undeveloped sites with potential for expansion. For example, land promoted by CGV off Chester Way, Northwich, represents an opportunity to bring forward modern, fit-for-purpose employment floorspace that enhances the wider area, supports the local economy and improved compatibility with nearby uses. Or alternatively, the site proves a logical location for residential development, close to local amenities and existing infrastructure. While Green Belt policy rightly serves an important role, selective Green Belt review (where sites are on the edge of urban areas, adjacent to existing developed land, and capable of being well-integrated) should be considered where it brings wider regeneration or strategic economic benefits. This is particularly pertinent in light of the employment land requirement (198 ha over 20 years) and the limitations noted in the Stage 1 Land Availability Assessment2, or the Council’s identification for 1,914 homes to be delivered annually. Therefore, a more proactive and spatially integrated employment strategy, combining existing employment and residential areas, adjoining expansion land, and qualitative improvement opportunities, would offer a robust alternative approach for delivering economic objectives.

Comment

Representation ID: 15046

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15605
The Local Plan objectives as outlined in Option A relate well to CGV’s land interest off Chester Way Northwich. As demonstrated below, the objectives largely relate to the characteristics and qualities of the land: [See attached review of LAA site 1663 against Local Plan Strategic objectives] We believe the current Local Plan objectives (Option A) remain broadly relevant but are not sufficiently flexible to respond to evolving planning challenges, particularly in light of updated national policy and increased housing and employment land requirements. For example, areas like CGV’s land interests at Chester Way that are adjacent to existing commercial hubs may present sustainable opportunities for Green Belt release, which the existing objectives may not fully accommodate.

Comment

Representation ID: 15047

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15606
SO1 should be updated to acknowledge the potential for sustainable growth in areas adjacent to existing urban and commercial zones, even if within current Green Belt boundaries, especially in key towns like Northwich. SO9 should be updated to recognise the limited availability of previously developed land and support well-located Greenfield and edge-of-settlement sites.  SO10 should allow for flexibility in Green Belt boundaries where robust evidence demonstrates that the release would deliver sustainable development outcomes without compromising the integrity of the wider Green Belt.

Comment

Representation ID: 15048

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15607
Yes, we believe Option B offers a more robust and future-proofed approach to plan-making. The SA objectives provide clear criteria for assessing the long-term sustainability and resilience of proposed development sites.