Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 14938

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Eric Wright Group

Agent: Connollys Planning & Development Limited

I&O_15497
Connollys acts on behalf of the Eric Wright Group in respect of their landholding at Lloyd Drive, Ellesmere Port. We are now instructed and welcome the opportunity to submit representations to the Council’s Issues & Options (Regulation 18) consultation. The site has already been positively discussed with officers, and a draft site-specific policy (May 2025) was prepared at the Council’s request, which is now submitted as part of these representations for formal consideration. [See location plan]

Comment

Representation ID: 14939

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Eric Wright Group

Agent: Connollys Planning & Development Limited

I&O_15498
Role of Ellesmere Port Ellesmere Port is correctly identified as a “main town” within the settlement hierarchy (SS4). Its advantages are clear: Excellent strategic accessibility (M53, A5117, rail connections, proximity to Merseyside and Chester); A well-established economic base (Stanlow, Protos, Origin and related clusters); Significant capacity for regeneration through brownfield and underutilised land. Directing growth to Ellesmere Port represents the most sustainable means of accommodating the borough’s needs. It makes best use of existing infrastructure and services and maximises the potential for linked regeneration and investment. Land at Lloyd Drive Our client’s landholding at Lloyd Drive comprises: A series of ageing office buildings (now outdated and increasingly costly to maintain); An undeveloped parcel with an active care home proposal; Surroundings that include residential to the west, commercial and retail to the north and east, and the A5117 corridor to the south. The site has the following attributes: Highly sustainable – within the built-up area, close to services, retail, and employment. Previously developed – contributing to urban regeneration. Versatile – capable of accommodating a broad mix of uses as set out in our draft policy: Class E employment and service uses, complementary retail, care and residential uses, and community/leisure facilities. Deliverable – no overriding constraints, and supported by a developer with the capacity to invest. Redevelopment of Lloyd Drive offers: Replacement of declining office stock with modern, efficient, and sustainable buildings; Potential for new housing supply, including specialist accommodation and a natural residential extension adjoining Shetland Drive; A continued employment role, aligned with evidence of need for flexible employment land; Tangible regeneration benefits, supporting Ellesmere Port’s economic and social role. In short, Lloyd Drive is a model “brownfield-first” site: central to Ellesmere Port’s future growth and highly consistent with national policy.

Comment

Representation ID: 14940

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Eric Wright Group

Agent: Connollys Planning & Development Limited

I&O_15499
Growth Options and Potential Growth Areas We note the three options presented at Section SS5: Option A – Retain the Green Belt: This Option cannot meet the identified scale of growth and cannot be supported. Option B – Current distribution: Most realistic Option. Option C – Sustainable transport corridors: Attractive in principle, but risks dispersed and incremental growth with limited regeneration benefit With reference to the potential growth areas for Ellesmere port, EP01 is the most appropriate and ambitious strategy to meet identified development needs. It is incredibly likely that exceptional circumstances for Green Belt release at Ellesmere Port will exist, given the step change, to support urban brownfield opportunities such as Lloyd Drive, which would be complimentary for any policy framework that may be devised for EP01 in future version of the Local Plan. We would welcome Officers’ formal consideration of our proposed site specific policy, which is enclosed with this letter for consideration. Conversely, EP04 is the least appropriate option, being less sustainable, more dispersed, and inconsistent with national policy emphasis on regeneration.

Comment

Representation ID: 14941

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Eric Wright Group

Agent: Connollys Planning & Development Limited

I&O_15500
The Council must plan for the full Standard Method requirement (1,914 homes p.a.).

Comment

Representation ID: 14942

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Eric Wright Group

Agent: Connollys Planning & Development Limited

I&O_15501
Support the spatial strategy principles, especially prioritising previously developed land. Lloyd Drive exemplifies this approach.

Comment

Representation ID: 14943

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Eric Wright Group

Agent: Connollys Planning & Development Limited

I&O_15502
Support Ellesmere Port’s role as a main town. Request a stand-alone allocation and policy for Lloyd Drive, ensuring certainty and deliverability.

Comment

Representation ID: 14944

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Eric Wright Group

Agent: Connollys Planning & Development Limited

I&O_15503
Exceptional circumstances exist for Green Belt release. Our client’s support Growth Area EP01 and oppose EP04