Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 9111

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Alvanley Parish Council

I&O_9604
Yes

Comment

Representation ID: 9114

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Alvanley Parish Council

I&O_9607
Yes.  Option B – Objective No. 9 ‘Manage contaminated land effectively’.  Commonside Tip is in Alvanley.  From 1960s to 1970s, it was used as a tip for manufacturers of various products and by-products/chemicals, including highly toxic PCBs were dumped on the site. The tip has undergone inspection for contaminates over the years and the most recent is being undertaken 2025.  Alvanley would strongly recommend that Cheshire West and Chester have a robust policy in place to ensure that it is the responsibility of the companies that dumped the waste to clear it up and make the site and surrounding area safe for residents to enjoy and free of toxic waste.
Option B - use the Sustainability Appraisal objectives

Comment

Representation ID: 9115

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Alvanley Parish Council

I&O_9608
We believe in encouraging land-based employment especially farming and agriculture in existing greenbelt and would agree with SS2. 

Comment

Representation ID: 9117

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Alvanley Parish Council

I&O_9610
Alvanley Parish Council is inclined to support a place-based policy for Helsby on the condition that this is developed in conjunction with Helsby Parish Council as they have a much wider understanding of local needs and any issues affecting the area. We would be willing to work in partnership with Helsby Parish Council.

Comment

Representation ID: 9119

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Alvanley Parish Council

I&O_9612
We would support Option B as the most appropriate strategy as this would appear to offer the most balanced approach to future development across the borough (i.e. development is spread more evenly across the key settlements).

Option B - Follow current Local Plan level and distribution of development

Comment

Representation ID: 9120

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Alvanley Parish Council

I&O_9613
Option A is not necessarily inappropriate for Alvanley, but we prefer the more balanced approach of Option B.

Comment

Representation ID: 9122

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Alvanley Parish Council

I&O_9615
Option B is our preferred option as we feel this offers the most balanced strategy.

Comment

Representation ID: 9124

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Alvanley Parish Council

I&O_9617
Helsby is the nearest Key Service Centre to Alvanley we support Helsby Parish Councils response as follows: - Option C proposes to concentrate development in areas that are currently well-served by existing rail and bus networks.  At first glance, Helsby appears to be well-served, as it benefits from a railway station and a regular bus service.  However, in practice, evening bus services are limited, and parking space at Helsby Station is already nearing full capacity.  While significant numbers of new homes have been constructed in Helsby over the past decade, this growth has not been matched by corresponding investment in public transport infrastructure.  The frequency and coverage of services are largely determined by commercial operators, who’s priorities are driven by profitability rather than by the specific needs of the local community.  It is also challenging to safeguard land around Helsby station as options to expand the station and/or create additional parking capacity are limited.

Comment

Representation ID: 9126

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Alvanley Parish Council

I&O_9619
We believe that option HEL03 offers the most sustainable location for new housing.  This area has already seen considerable development within the last decade and is well placed along the A56 corridor with close access to the M56 motorway.  It should be noted, however, that the remainder of the development land available in the Mere’s Edge area is located within the parish of Dunham on the Hill and Hapsford.  It is important therefore that the settlement boundary in the Local Plan extends beyond the Helsby ward area to cover the full HEL03 area. We do have reservation with regards to limited   local amenities and service providers available.

Comment

Representation ID: 9127

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Alvanley Parish Council

HEL01, HEL02 and HEL03
I&O_9620
While part of HEL02 is in Helsby and the proposed Helsby-Mouldsworth walking and cycling corridor, a section of the unused line traverses through the Parish of Alvanley.  Alvanley Parish Council has significant concerns regarding HEL02 suitability for large scale housing development.  It should be noted that a large part of HEL02 development is located within the Alvanley settlement on the westerly boundary. The number of new homes could impact on the settlement gap between Helsby and Alvanley. Compared to the other two options, HEL02 offers notably poorer road and pedestrian access.  The site’s topography presents a steeper gradient, which is likely to result in a greater visual impact on the surrounding landscape.  Additionally, the risk of surface water runoff is expected to be higher in this location, potentially increasing the likelihood of drainage and flooding issues.  There is currently no footpath provision along parts of The Rock, and Robin Hood Lane is narrow, with substantial on-street parking that already restricts vehicular movement.  Furthermore, the impact of construction traffic on this constrained road network is likely to be significantly greater than at alternative sites.  Given these factors, we believe that HEL02 may only be suitable for a modest level of development and not the 250 homes as proposed in Table B.8*   HEL01 is located in a good location alongside the A56 corridor and Helsby High School.  Like our close neighbours Helsby, we would support a limited number of new homes in this area. This would be more in line with the green belt policy and also with the Alvanley Village Design statement registered with CWaC Planning. *Table B.8 - refers to Growth Areas - Helsby Area ref: HEL01, HEL02 and HEL03