Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 10783

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Hayfield Homes

I&O_11281
Option C is the most appropriate spatial strategy for Cheshire West and Chester, as it allows for the delivery of housing and employment within strategic and accessible locations across the borough. Concentrating growth in these areas ensures new development is well connected to employment, education, and services, while reducing reliance on private cars and encouraging more sustainable patterns of movement. Hayfield Homes supports the approach outlined in Option C which suggests areas outside of Northwich could accommodate up to 500 homes and the development of greenfield land for employment expansion. In the case of development outside of Northwich, Land off Church Street represents a key opportunity, The site is located adjacent to the settlement boundary of Higher Wincham, within a short distance to Northwich town centre and public transport connections. This strategic position means the site is highly accessible, supporting sustainable commuting patterns. Delivering housing along transport corridors not only reduces infrastructure costs but also helps create resilient communities with better access to services, in line with national policy. For these reasons, we fully support this vision and consider the Site an ideal example of how it can be delivered in practice. In summary, Option C is supported, or an alternative option which recognises that growth should be established through active consideration of selective release of Green Belt land where it is adjacent to existing development, offers strong sustainability credentials, and helps deliver wider residential goals. 

Option C - Sustainable transport corridors

Comment

Representation ID: 10785

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Hayfield Homes

I&O_11283
To further the strategy outlined in Option C, further emphasis should be given the release of Green Belt land along sustainable transport corridors. Taking forward this approach would allow strategically positioned sites to deliver required housing provisions across the borough.

Comment

Representation ID: 10786

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Hayfield Homes

I&O_11284
Hayfield Homes recognise Option A’s ambition to retain the Green Belt extent in line with Government Guidance that these boundaries should only be altered in exceptional circumstances however, for the Plan to establish a deliverable strategy it is Hayfield Homes’ opinion that these boundaries will require readjustment. In this context, a strict adherence to retaining all Green Belt boundaries risks overlooking sustainable, well-located opportunities for employment or housing that could contribute positively to local objectives. While Option A promotes brownfield-first principles and development within non- Green Belt settlements, a targeted Green Belt release in locations such as Higher Wincham is likely to be essential to meeting housing needs in a sustainable way. This is particularly true given the ambitious growth requirements of the new Local Plan and the known limitations of land supply within existing urban boundaries.

Comment

Representation ID: 10787

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Hayfield Homes

I&O_11285
Yes, Option B allows for planned growth in line with current distribution patterns, yet with targeted Green Belt release where it supports sustainable development.

Comment

Representation ID: 10789

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Hayfield Homes

I&O_11287
Option A should be amended to allow for selective Green Belt release within sustainable locations. If Option A were to be brought forward, this would raise a risk to undermining economic growth and limiting land availability. An option should be  developed which promotes planned Green Belt release, starting with the consideration of Grey Belt land, to meet identified housing needs.

Comment

Representation ID: 10790

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Hayfield Homes

I&O_11288
Yes, Option C is the most appropriate spatial strategy, however this option should actively consider the selective release of Green Belt land where it is adjacent to existing development, offers strong sustainability credentials, and helps deliver wider residential goal, as is the case with the Hayfield Homes’ site in Higher Wincham.

Comment

Representation ID: 10791

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Hayfield Homes

I&O_11289
In the preparation of the new Local Plan, CWaC should consider the potential for sites to contribute towards the strategic objectives of sustainable settlement growth, along with further technical considerations. Hayfield Homes’ site is within a sustainable location, with access into Northwich, and the local services and facilities contained therein. The site provides a logical location for Green Belt release when assessed against the five purposes of the Green Belt (as set out in Paragraph 143 of the NPPF). • Check unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas: the Site is located adjacent to the existing settlement boundary of Higher Wincham and is bounded to the south and east by residential development. There are permanent and defensible field boundaries surrounding the other boundaries of the Site which would prevent unrestricted sprawl. Development would complete the built frontage along this part of Church Street. • Prevent neighbouring towns from merging: the Site would form a natural extension to the settlement boundary of Higher Wincham and would not result in the merging with the nearest settlement of Pickmere. • Safeguard the countryside from encroachment: whilst the development of any greenfield site would result in ‘encroachment’, it is not considered that the Site strongly contributes to this purpose. The defensible boundaries referenced above would limit any additional development in the future, and the release of the Site would allow development around Wincham/Higher Wincham to be properly planned and managed. • Preserve the setting and character of historic towns: Higher Wincham is not designated as a historic town, therefore the release of the Site from the Green Belt would not impact on this purpose. • Assist urban regeneration: additional land outside of the settlement boundary would be required to meet identified development needs. An alteration of the Green Belt would therefore not prevent the recycling of derelict or other urban land. Overall, the site makes a weak contribution to the purposes of the Green Belt and therefore would be a suitable site for release from the Green Belt to assist in meeting the development requirements of Cheshire West and Chester. Indeed, the Site represents Grey Belt land. The Plan should prioritise land that is deliverable within the plan period. Sites in proximity to existing settlements with reach of services and infrastructure should be favoured, even when they lie within the Green Belt. Where land within the Green Belt can be defined as Grey Belt land, no longer contributes to the purposes defined in the NPPF, or where development can be accommodated with minimal harm to openness, such sites should be considered for Green Belt release. This is particularly appropriate where development can contribute to housing need, such as Cheshire West’s target of delivering 1,914 homes.

Comment

Representation ID: 10792

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Hayfield Homes

I&O_11290
Out of the growth options identified, area NOR02 appears to be in the most sustainable and logical location. It is the Hayfield Homes’ opinion however, that either this should be extended, or a further growth area should be identified to the north, at Higher Wincham, to encapsulate the Land off Church Street.

Comment

Representation ID: 10793

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Hayfield Homes

I&O_11291
Hayfield Homes broadly support the policy approach towards Northwich including the emphasis on town centre regeneration, infrastructure improvements, and the allocation of Wincham Urban Village. Hayfield Homes, however, recommend that the policy be amended to provide greater flexibility for sustainable growth on well-located Green Belt sites adjacent to existing development outside of the town centre. This growth will be important in supporting the regeneration of the Northwich Town Centre Development Framework and in the delivery of housing and employment opportunities. This is especially important in light of increasing  development pressures, limited brownfield capacity, and the need to meet higher levels of housing and employment need in a sustainable manner. Hayfield Homes also supports the Council’s intention to identify key sites and allocations in and around Northwich as part of the plan-making process. In this context, Land off Church Street represents a logical and sustainable opportunity for growth, well-suited to contribute to the delivery of the Plan’s strategic objectives.

Comment

Representation ID: 10795

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Hayfield Homes

I&O_11293
Hayfield Homes support the suggested key sites, especially growth surrounding Northwich Town Centre and Wincham Urban Village. The delivery of housing and employment development within these locations make logical sense due to the existing built environment of these locations and their proximity to existing infrastructure and services. While the objectives are broadly supported, we would encourage further emphasis is placed on the role that releasing Green Belt land can make in meeting strategic housing and employment goals. Over reliance on development in allocations such as Wincham Urban Village and Northwich Town Centre may result in needs not being met. Sites outside of these allocations should also be considered, especially where they offer logical extensions to settlements adjacent to Northwich. Hayfield Homes’ site offers a sustainable, well-connected and accessible location for housing or commercial use. This site will help meet local needs, support town centre regeneration through increased footfall, and its release from the Green Belt would not undermine Green Belt objectives.