Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 16390

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Chorlton Lodge

Agent: Cadnant Planning

I&O_16971
We support Option C which focus on sustainable transport corridors, directing new growth to and around existing transport links.

Option C - Sustainable transport corridors

Comment

Representation ID: 16391

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Chorlton Lodge

Agent: Cadnant Planning

I&O_16972
We support the identification of potential growth areas on the edge of the city but believe that the field of search has been too limited and has not considered Grey Belt opportunities.

Comment

Representation ID: 16392

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Chorlton Lodge

Agent: Cadnant Planning

I&O_16973
We believe that the current Local Plan policy for Green Belt will need to be updated to set out approach to  Grey Belt and to reflect Green Belt review evidence but this should be set our clearly in the Issues and Options Paper and should make it clear that land outside the A55 corridor can contribute to sustainable development and not compromise the five purposes of the Green Belt.

Comment

Representation ID: 16393

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Chorlton Lodge

Agent: Cadnant Planning

I&O_16974
The identification of potential Green Belt release sites as referenced in the consultation has been based on a limited assessment of sites, which appears to be based on only reviewing sites within the A55 corridor. This aligns with previous and historic Green Belt Reviews in Chester. However, the fundamental change in NPPF which now introduces the concept of Grey Belt, means that the assessment of potential sites for development around Chester must now be based on a broader assessment. The Issues and Options Paper fails to take account of Grey Belt sites and their potential for future development which will sustain the economic, cultural and socially important role of Chester as the key centre within the Plan area. The attached Site Appraisal and Green Belt Analysis of land at Rough Hill notes that Rough Hill is currently within the designated Green Belt, the following reasons illustrate the logic behind releasing this plot of land with a view for carefully orchestrated development:  The study area meets the definition of Grey Belt: ‘The NPPF defines the Grey Belt as areas within the Green Belt that consist of previously developed land and other parcels that have minimal impact on the Green Belt’s core objectives, excluding land or assets with significant environmental protections (e.g., SSSIs, heritage assets). The area displays a weak contribution to Green Belt due to the enclosure by large transportation corridors that isolate and constrict its openness, thereby creating an ‘island Study Area’ Area is not part of a gap between towns and has no potential to link to other urban areas in the future. The Area is not near to or visible from the Conservation Districts or Heritage Assets of Chester and bears no relationship to those aspects of the City. Other Heritage / Conservation Districts such as Eccleston are also outside its proximity.  Given these factors, which are expanded upon in more detail in the attached Assessment Report the area of land at Rough Hill should be considered for release from the Green Belt and should be assessed alongside other areas set out in the Issues and Options Paper, some of which would lead to the coalescence of settlements contrary to the purposes of the Green Belt. Such a release would be aligned with national planning policies and the emerging Local Plan, ensuring that any future development enhances local character, supports biodiversity, and meets long-term housing and commercial / economic needs without compromising the openness and purpose of the remaining Green Belt.