Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 15173

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey

Agent: Asteer Planning

I&O_15732
For the reasons set out above Taylor Wimpey consider that land at Parkgate Road as part of growth location CH04 represents a very suitable and deliverable location for growth in Chester. The Site forms a logical and sustainable extension to the settlement of Chester, it does not meet any of the purposes of the Green Belt and is wholly deliverable, with no constraints that would prevent it delivering homes early in the Plan Period, as demonstrated in Section 3 of this document. Taylor Wimpey consider that the Site should be considered as a crucial element of the emerging Local Plan’s deliverable supply under any growth option that is pursued.

Comment

Representation ID: 15174

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey

Agent: Asteer Planning

I&O_15733
The suggested Policy Approach to CH 1 is to update and combine the existing Local Plan Part 1 STRAT 3 Policy with Part 2 Policy CH 1, as the overarching and locally distinct policy for Chester, but updated as needed to reflect the allocations that have been completed and/or require a new approach. The explanatory text identifies Chester as having the best levels and opportunities for public transport use, walking and wheeling, across the Borough. Therefore, the new Local Plan will seek to increase housing with a focus on a connected centre surrounded by accessible neighbourhoods.. The approach will prioritise the protection of the historic environment as core to protecting the character of the city that makes it a special and highly valued place. Taylor Wimpey supports the suggested Policy Approach CH 1 in having an overarching and locally distinct policy which sets out the allocations within the settlement. This will enable more strategic growth to be identified that can meet housing and employment needs within the settlement. Considering the significant increase in CWaC’s housing requirement from 1,100 dpa in the last Local Plan to 1,928 dpa, Taylor Wimpey consider that there is a clear need to review the Green Belt boundary in Chester (even if Growth Option A ‘Retain the Green Belt’ is the chosen Option for the rest of the Borough), and that deliverable urban extensions are required to ensure that deliverable sites are identified to support the significant growth needs of Chester, and to ensure that any under-delivery of the City’s regeneration sites can be countered by sites that can support delivery early in the Plan Period. It is considered that land at Parkgate Road should be identified as a residential growth location within Policy CH 1 ‘Chester’, as it is a sustainable urban extension that can meet the housing needs of the Borough in the early part of the Plan Period. The deliverability of the Site is set out in Section 3 and demonstrates the Site’s ability to support the suggested Policy CH1 approach by providing direct sustainable travel options via both road and rail. Taylor Wimpey strongly consider that the Site should be considered as a suitable and deliverable site allocation for Growth Options A, B and C, providing an opportunity to support an urban extension that can deliver housing early in the Plan Period.  

Comment

Representation ID: 15175

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey

Agent: Asteer Planning

I&O_15734
The One City Plan (2022-2045) aims to give a sense of direction for the future growth of Chester City Centre, based on four key themes: city experience and play; connectivity and accessibility; thriving people and communities; and business friendly economy and skills. The Chester City Gateway Strategic Regeneration Framework (“SRF”) sets out a 10 year vision for the area around the Chester Railway Station, to drive the regeneration of Chester City Centre. Both of these documents recognise the clear need to increase the number of residents in Chester and ensuring that the residential offer is both sustainable and diverse to meet the needs of all age groups. Taylor Wimpey is supportive of any proposals to carry through the aspirations of both the One City Plan and the SRF in the new Local Plan and considers that the development of the Site at Parkgate Road would support in the delivery of these aspirations, by providing a significant boost to Chester’s supply of high-quality market and affordable homes on the immediate edge of the settlement while offering directly accessible sustainable travel options into the City Centre – including via rail as a result of the Site’s proximity to the Bache Railway Station. The delivery of new homes in this location will allow key workers to remain in the city, retaining talent that can support the economic development of the city, as highlighted as a key priority in the One City Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 15176

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Taylor Wimpey

Agent: Asteer Planning

I&O_15735
Taylor Wimpey supports the suggested Policy Approach towards delivering affordable housing, as set out in ‘HO 2’, which sets out the requirement to provide affordable housing on all new developments that include the provision of new homes, unless there are exceptional circumstances. However the Council should ensure that any affordable housing requirements are evidenced as viable through an assessment and that flexibility is provided within the policy where viability may be an issue. The delivery of available and achievable housing developments, such as at Parkgate Road, provide the most effective way to deliver affordable housing along with the delivery of a mix of housing types to meet local needs. The provision of greater quantities of market housing will also help to alleviate the constraints on supply, and in turn help to Comments on Spatial Strategy and Potential Growth Options.