Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 6544

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Sandstone Ridge Trust

24 Landscape Question LA1
I&O_6961
The Sandstone Ridge Trust supports policy items 1, 4 and 5, but (in line with Section 24.4) advocates that it should specifically ensure that any development or plans affecting the Candidate Area assessed by Natural England for a potential Sandstone Ridge National Landscape, shall not detract from the case for designation during such time that Natural England’s assessment process is ‘paused’.

Comment

Representation ID: 6552

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Sandstone Ridge Trust

24 Landscape Question LA3
I&O_6969
The Sandstone Ridge Trust recommends three actions for the Local Plan in the light of Natural England ‘pausing’ the designation assessment process: 1) CWAC should formally request National Government restart and complete the National Landscape designation assessment process for the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge. 2) As noted in LA1, the Local Plan should specifically ensure that no development in or adjacent to the Sandstone Ridge National Landscape Candidate Area detracts or undermines the case for designation and, preferably, should enhance the case for designation. 3) That the entire Sandstone Ridge National Landscape Candidate Area be defined as an ASCV – the Trust has extensive evidence to support this response which was undertaken during the 4-year designation process with Natural England and Gillespies, the appointed Consultants (2021-2024). The Sandstone Ridge Trust has summarised the reasoning and evidence for assigning a landscape designation to the whole ridge in the following document –  https://www.sandstoneridge.org.uk/lib/F954142.pdf

Comment

Representation ID: 6555

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Sandstone Ridge Trust

24 Landscape Question LA4
I&O_6972
The Sandstone Ridge Trust broadly supports LA2 policy as far as it goes but considers that the ASCVs should to be both broadened and joined-up to cover more holistic identifiable landscape areas, such as the entire Cheshire Sandstone Ridge.

Comment

Representation ID: 6559

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Sandstone Ridge Trust

24 Landscape Question 5
I&O_6977
The Sandstone Ridge Trust considers that the ASCVs currently defined, should be broadened, reviewed, and updated in line with the Trust’s response to LA4 above.  

Comment

Representation ID: 6565

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Sandstone Ridge Trust

25 Green infrastructure, biodiversity and geodiversity Question GI 1
I&O_6984
The Sandstone Ridge Trust strongly supports the suggested policy approach towards green infrastructure, biodiversity and geodiversity and its key component the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

Comment

Representation ID: 6573

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Sandstone Ridge Trust

25 Green infrastructure, biodiversity and geodiversity Question GI 2
I&O_6992
The Cheshire Sandstone Ridge enjoys 13% of woodland cover, including 343 hectares of ancient woodland. This is below England’s total tree cover of 14.5%. Importantly, there is a national target to increase England’s tree cover to 16.5% by 2050 and we would encourage greater effort to meet this target. Furthermore, tree replacement is vital to protect, manage and sustain the landscape of the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge. Whilst a ‘no net loss’ of 2:1 woodland replacement strategy is acceptable; there is a need to explore opportunities for a more generous ratio wherever possible.

Comment

Representation ID: 6577

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Sandstone Ridge Trust

25 Green infrastructure, biodiversity and geodiversity Question GI 3
I&O_6997
The Sandstone Ridge Trust strongly supports that, wherever possible, the 10% mandatory biodiversity net gain should always be exceeded .

Comment

Representation ID: 6579

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Sandstone Ridge Trust

25 Green infrastructure, biodiversity and geodiversity Question GI 4
I&O_6999
The Sandstone Ridge Trust strongly supports the aims and objectives of the Mersey Forest

Comment

Representation ID: 6581

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Sandstone Ridge Trust

25 Green infrastructure, biodiversity and geodiversity Question GI 5
I&O_7001
The Sandstone Ridge Trust strongly supports the notion that ‘functionally linked land’ should be covered in the new Local Plan policy.

Comment

Representation ID: 6587

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Sandstone Ridge Trust

26 Historic environment Question HI 1
I&O_7007
The Sandstone Ridge Trust strongly supports that the suggested policy approach towards the historic environment should be covered in the new Local Plan policy.