Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 10032

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Horizon Crematorium (Hooton) Ltd

I&O_10529
In the preparation of the new Local Plan, CWaC should consider the potential for sites to contribute towards the strategic objectives of regeneration and sustainable settlement growth, along with further technical considerations. The Plan should prioritise land that is deliverable within the plan period.

Comment

Representation ID: 10033

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Horizon Crematorium (Hooton) Ltd

I&O_10530
Growth option with reference ‘H0003’ (Hooton East – north of Hooton Road) represents the most suitable growth area for mixed-use development. Land off Hooton Road, Hooton is available to accommodate such development and as discussed earlier in these representations, Horizon are committed to bringing forward a crematoria development here to meet an identified need in the local area. This use (and community facilities more broadly) should be accommodated in any detailed policy wording. Option H0003 is well-related to the existing built-up area of Hooton, benefits from strong transport connections, and offers a valuable opportunity to accommodate future development needs in a planned and contained manner and should therefore be considered in the next stages of the plan-making process.

Comment

Representation ID: 10034

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Horizon Crematorium (Hooton) Ltd

I&O_10531
As above, there is a demonstrated need for additional crematoria provision in this area. If this option is progressed, detailed policy wording should be sufficiently flexible to allow for this type of development to come forward in the area, in addition to housing and employment development.

Comment

Representation ID: 10035

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Horizon Crematorium (Hooton) Ltd

I&O_10532
Horizon support the policy approach towards the Green Belt and Countryside as set out in GB 1. Policies provided in the emerging Local Plan should reflect the most recent guidance relating to the Green Belt in the NPPF, including reference to grey belt land and provide reference to the anticipated Green Belt review evidence. In regard to wording of the policy the Local Plan should include reference to Paragraph 148 of the NPPF, which notes: Where it is necessary to release Green Belt land for development, plans should give priority to previously developed land, then consider grey belt which is not previously developed, and then other Green Belt locations. However, when drawing up or reviewing Green Belt boundaries, the need to promote sustainable patterns of development should determine whether a site’s location is appropriate with particular reference to paragraphs 110 and 115 of this Framework. Strategic policymaking authorities should consider the consequences for sustainable development of channelling development towards urban areas inside the Green Belt boundary, towards towns and villages inset within the Green Belt or towards locations beyond the outer Green Belt boundary.

Comment

Representation ID: 10036

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Horizon Crematorium (Hooton) Ltd

I&O_10533
Yes, the Local Plan should include separate policies for countryside and Green Belt areas, as they serve distinct planning functions and are subject to different national policy frameworks and local considerations. Maintaining two distinct policies will also improve clarity for applicants, decision-makers, and communities, especially as the new Local Plan will be a single document.

Comment

Representation ID: 10037

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Horizon Crematorium (Hooton) Ltd

I&O_10534
Horizon support the view that new development will be encouraged in sustainable locations with access to services and facilities. Horizon’s land interests at Land off Hooton Road, Hooton represent a sustainable location which is well connected by active travel and public transport.

Comment

Representation ID: 10038

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Horizon Crematorium (Hooton) Ltd

I&O_10535
In circumstances where developer contributions are sought, the obligation needs to allow for the consideration of viability. In line with the requirements of Regulation 122 of the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended), planning obligations must be: Necessary to make the application acceptable in planning terms; Directly related to the development; and Fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the development.

Comment

Representation ID: 10039

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Horizon Crematorium (Hooton) Ltd

I&O_10536
Horizon supports the inclusion and reference to the need to support proposals for new community facilities and cultural or local services that serve the local community. The Council should actively support planning applications that come forward to provide facilities that meet a demonstrated need. One such facility is crematoria, for which there is a demonstrated need in the Hooton area. As set out earlier in these representations, Land off Hooton Road, Hooton is ideally situated to accommodate this need.

Comment

Representation ID: 10040

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Horizon Crematorium (Hooton) Ltd

I&O_10537
The Local Plan should not seek to exceed the 10% mandatory biodiversity net gain requirement set out nationally. The 10% threshold, as introduced by the Environment Act 2021 represents a balanced and evidence-based standard that has been subject to national consultation, viability testing, and wide stakeholder engagement. Requiring a higher percentage locally could risk undermining development viability and introduce delivery challenges.

Comment

Representation ID: 10041

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Horizon Crematorium (Hooton) Ltd

I&O_10538
A borough-wide Design Code should not form part of the new Local Plan. While high-quality design is critical to sustainable development, a single, overarching Design Code applied across the entire borough risks being too generic or inflexible, to the wide variation in local character across Cheshire West and Chester. Instead, the Local Plan should reference the role of design codes as supplementary guidance, allowing them to evolve over time without requiring formal plan review.