Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Support

Representation ID: 16409

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Tarmac

Agent: Heatons

I&O_12905
The Issues and Options consultation publicises a draft plan for comment. The draft plan outline 4 overarching principles including ‘tackling climate change – adapting to and mitigating against the effects of climate change and achieving a net increase in biodiversity’.
This principle is reflected immediately in draft Policy SD 1 ‘Sustainable Development’ which, among other things, seeks to maximise opportunities to generate energy from renewable sources and to re-balance the grid through energy storage, and also to deliver high quality, interconnected and multifunctional green and blue infrastructure.

Section 28 of the draft plan relates to energy. Draft policies for solar energy, wind and other energy related developments are included and draft criteria are provided for considering applications. It is stated that proposals should take account of the Landscape Sensitivity Study and Guidance on Wind and Solar Photovoltaic Developments (2016) and be directed to the least sensitive locations.

It is clear that the emerging local plan will have a focus on delivering renewable energy infrastructure and enhancing biodiversity in Cheshire West and Chester. Tarmac’s Poolfields site could make an important contribution to both of those objectives.