Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 15082

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15641
While the overall intention of Policy HO2 to secure the delivery of affordable housing is supported, the policy approach should be more flexible, particularly in relation to edge-of-settlement or Green Belt release sites that are being promoted for development in the Local Plan. It should be recognised by CWaC in the development of the Local Plan that the delivery of housing on previously undeveloped land can incur unexpected costs. Policy HO2 should therefore allow for site specific viability considerations to come forward as part of any application submission. The policy should promote and support residential schemes that provide in excess of the policy requirement for affordable housing; these schemes can make a valuable contribution towards the affordable housing needs in the area, and this should weigh heavily in favour of such proposals.

Comment

Representation ID: 15083

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15642
CGVC is supportive of the approach, however, note that where reference is given to development within the Green Belt, this should be supported by text outlining the principles of the grey belt to aid sustainable development across the borough.

Comment

Representation ID: 15084

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15643
The emerging Local Plan should ensure that it sets out a clear criteria on what constitutes as appropriate Green Belt development in line with the 2024 version of the NPPF. Clearer definitions would provide greater clarity for applicants and decision makers. It is also important that the Plan recognise that in order to achieve sustainable development in well-connected locations, Green Belt release will be appropriate This would support wider regeneration and growth objectives and align with emerging evidence around employment and housing land needs.  Therefore, while detailed Green Belt guidance is welcomed, this should be balanced with a criteria-based policy that also facilitates strategic and sustainable Green Belt release where exceptional circumstances are demonstrable.

Comment

Representation ID: 15085

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15644
The Local Plan should not seek to exceed the 10% mandatory biodiversity net gain requirement set out nationally. The 10% threshold, as introduced by the Environment Act 2021 represents a balanced and evidence-based standard that has been subject to national consultation, viability testing, and wide stakeholder engagement. Requiring a higher percentage locally could risk undermining development viability, and introduce delivery challenges

Comment

Representation ID: 15086

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire Garden Village Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_15645
A borough-wide Design Code should not form part of the new Local Plan. While high-quality design is critical to sustainable development, a single, overarching Design Code applied across the entire borough risks being too generic or inflexible, to the wide variation in local character across Cheshire West and Chester. Instead, the Local Plan should reference the role of design codes as supplementary guidance, allowing them to evolve over time without requiring formal plan review.