Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 6893

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire West and Chester Council (Councillors)

I&O_7346
Yes – the Local Plan should adopt the hierarchy, ensuring priority is given to energy reduction and efficiency before renewables or offsetting.

Comment

Representation ID: 6894

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire West and Chester Council (Councillors)

I&O_7347
This does need to strike a balance with Viability but given the declared 'climate emergency', the Local Plan should require higher standards to deliver net zero-ready buildings across all developments. Is a higher local standard workable with the development/time scale required in CWaC?

Comment

Representation ID: 6895

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire West and Chester Council (Councillors)

I&O_7349
Not my areas.

Comment

Representation ID: 6896

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire West and Chester Council (Councillors)

I&O_7351
Yes - an alternative compliance route is sensible, provided it requires robust and recognised standards and avoids developers using lower standards to dilute policy.

Comment

Representation ID: 6897

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire West and Chester Council (Councillors)

I&O_7352
Not my area.

Comment

Representation ID: 6898

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire West and Chester Council (Councillors)

I&O_7356
Yes - support the approach. Should it include: - Site-specific climate adaptation strategies for all major developments. -  with evidence of modelling against future climate scenarios, not just present day conditions.

Comment

Representation ID: 6899

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire West and Chester Council (Councillors)

I&O_7360
Broadly support the approach but with amendments: - Brownfield and industrial land should always be prioritised over farmland. - Best and most versatile agricultural land must be safeguarded to protect food security. - Proposals must demonstrate cumulative impact assessments, especially for solar and wind farms. - A clear preference for rooftop and brownfield solar must be added, avoiding large-scale ground-mounted schemes on farmland. - Decommissioning and restoration requirements must be legally binding and secured at the outset.

Comment

Representation ID: 6900

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire West and Chester Council (Councillors)

I&O_7363
Food production can be protected by: - A 'food security test' requiring applicants to prove developments will not undermine active farm holdings. - Prioritising rooftop, brownfield and agri-voltaic solar over farmland loss. - Ensuring access to farmland and farm infrastructure is not obstructed. - Supporting other farmer-led diversification opportunities, enabling rural businesses to remain viable.

Comment

Representation ID: 6902

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire West and Chester Council (Councillors)

I&O_7370
Support a cautious approach. Policies must: - Direct turbines to least sensitive locations as per the 2016 Landscape Sensitivity Study. - Prohibit development in settlement gaps, ASCVs, and areas of high landscape value. - Require robust cumulative assessments to avoid landscape saturation. - Ensure local community consent and benefit-sharing arrangements.

Comment

Representation ID: 6904

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Cheshire West and Chester Council (Councillors)

I&O_7372
Strongly support rooftop and building-mounted solar but oppose large-scale ground-mounted solar on productive farmland. Policy should: - Require clear preference for rooftops, car parks, and brownfield. - Mandate biodiversity enhancements (hedgerows, pollinator habitat) in any ground-mounted scheme. - Require landscape assessments for all proposals, ensuring cumulative impacts are considered.