Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 7577

Received: 22/08/2025

Respondent: Pinpoint Group

I&O_8064
The regeneration of Northwich town centre is fundamental to the success of any of the potential growth areas. Unless the town centre is used as it should be and becomes the hub of activity for new and existing residents all that will be created is a commuter town, increased traffic chaos and with an empty core at its centre. A long-term community strategy should be planned and agreed cross-party. Where possible, brownfield land and underused commercial areas offer an immediate opportunity. Sustainable, and mixed-use housing development would kick-start the town centre regeneration including further use of Winnington ex-industrial sites. Opposite Winnington Village is an eyesore of empty and underutilised land and ex-ICI office properties whereas the new Winnington Avenue commercial and residential development is proving to be a great success. The 60 acres of Gadbrook Park, once a hive of activity for local businesses, has lost key tenants - The Hut Group citing poor transport links and a local un-skilled workforce and the Barclays Bank offices continue to remain empty. There is available land with Outline Planning Consent for employment use on the site which could be redignated. The land has frontage to both Gadbrook Road and Gadbrook Way.  There is no consistency in development of Northwich infrastructure. Good - the improvement of the Northwich Infirmary; bad – loss of Hartford College school facilities. This is not growth instigated by the demand from local businesses for people coming to live in Northwich for jobs. I am afraid that I do not consider any encroachment of green field or green belt land suitable. Any of these developments will cause distress to those who lose the debate.

Comment

Representation ID: 7578

Received: 22/08/2025

Respondent: Pinpoint Group

I&O_8065
Improvement of efficient train links to Chester, Manchester and Liverpool. Key for uptake is the proximity of car parking for commuters. Hartford Station car park (Liverpool/ Crewe/ London) is under capacity as are Northwich and Greenbank (Manchester/ Chester). If the plan is to encourage more use of public transport new developments should be proposed in areas where train stations exist and can be accessed without driving. In any local plan a pedestrian and safe cycling infrastructure would be welcomed.

Comment

Representation ID: 7579

Received: 22/08/2025

Respondent: Pinpoint Group

NOR06, NOR07
I&O_8066
NOR06 – A556 and London Road traffic Davenham are already very heavy following the recent large developments in Winsford and Moulton together with developments in Davenham at Fountain Lane, Green Lane, Church Street. The safety of the travellers at the caravan site at the end of London Road must also be considered. The land identified for NOR06 is a busy working farm and in the same family for generations. The farm is part of village life with its local farm shop produce and farm animals, all supporting a community spirit and contributing to mental well being. It has a rare breed programme as well as promoting local tourism with its Caravan Club approved site. It is also one of the last remaining Cheshire farms with its farmhouse at the centre of its land. Development of these key fields would possibly tip the farm into no longer being commercially viable. NOR06 farm land is crossed by public footpaths used heavily by walkers before, during and since Covid as a de-stress from daily life and as a boost to mental health. The designated fields support an abundance of wildlife which would be lost to development including various birds of prey, hares and owls. Mere Bank has that name for a reason. NOR06 has areas at risk of flooding or on land that serves an important function in mitigating local flood risk. Any development here would increase surface water run-off and impact local watercourses. The proposed development would dramatically alter the rural character of the village, and risk encroachment on heritage assets and open spaces valued by the local Davenham community. The proposed area would encroach on the designated conservation area and also obscure the landmark of St Wilfred’s Parish Church. Despite developments over recent years the additional 1305 houses of NOR06 and NOR07 now proposed are entirely disproportionate to Davenham village size and infrastructure which on a day to day basis is already operating at or near capacity. The village road network and bypass, suffer from heavy congestion which further development would only exacerbate. There are already concerns regarding traffic, air quality, and safety. This is before the Lostock Gralam incinerator becomes operational and the true effects on the local atmosphere are felt. There have been a number of recent planning applications which may be more aligned with the scale and character of the village. The old Davenham Dairy with land running alongside the A556, a pre-application from Stonhams, and a small development at Bostock Green collectively involving around 200 dwellings. These proposals would be more proportionate to Davenham’s capacity and infrastructure and would be more likely to receive support, provided they are delivered with appropriate design, infrastructure investment, and sensitivity to the village setting. For these reasons, I would urge Cheshire West and Chester Council to reconsider the proposed development allocations within the parish. I request that all current proposals for large-scale residential development in Davenham be removed or significantly scaled back in the final Local Plan.