Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 15218

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Barratt Redrow Plc

Agent: Pegasus Planning Group Ltd

I&O_15777
No comments at this stage.

Comment

Representation ID: 15219

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Barratt Redrow Plc

Agent: Pegasus Planning Group Ltd

I&O_15778
The policy notes how development in Ellesmere Port has the potential to deliver substantial economic growth, through continued and new investment in Ellesmere Port Origin. Ambitious economic growth in Ellesmere Port will need to be supported by additional housing – as the two go hand in hand. This further justifies the case to allocate additional housing sites in Ellesmere Port, including Dunkirk Farm.

Comment

Representation ID: 15220

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Barratt Redrow Plc

Agent: Pegasus Planning Group Ltd

I&O_15779
No detailed comments to make at this stage – other than to highlight that previously developed land will be insufficient to meet Ellesemere Port’s housing requirements alone. There will be a need to allocate suitable Green Belt release sites, including Dunkirk Farm/growth area EP02.

Comment

Representation ID: 15221

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Barratt Redrow Plc

Agent: Pegasus Planning Group Ltd

I&O_15780
Barratt Redrow support the high level of growth suggested for Northwich under Options B and C (5,000 + homes in both options), noting that if the previous local plan apportionment (4,300 of 22,000 or 19.55%) was applied to the emerging 15 year requirement of 29,000 then Northwich would receive growth of 5,668 homes , which seems entirely reasonable and proportionate. This is also considered entirely deliverable with the 12 potential growth areas shown having a total indicative capacity of 7,166. Whilst the final development numbers for Northwich will be determined as the Local Plan progresses, Barratt Redrow fully support the identification of potential growth area NOR09 (Land at Chester Road, Hartford) on Map 5.6 at this stage of the plan process. This potential growth area is one of the most suitable options for housing allocation in Northwich because, as discussed in more detail in the Development Framework contained at Appendix 3: It will not just deliver much needed homes (around 580), it can also deliver a potential new school and local amenities area. It represents an infrastructure-led development. Will deliver substantial levels of green infrastructure on site, including a new Parkland, community allotments, community orchard and various formal play facilities. It is unconstrained in respect of all technical considerations and can deliver 10% biodiversity net gain on site. It comprises a Grey Belt site, in line with the NPPF definition. Therefore, the site has the ability to deliver housing early on in the Plan Period and can start to deliver some housing within the first five years. Barratt Redrow also fully support the identification of potential growth area NOR11 (Sandy Lane, Weaverham) on Map 5.6 at this stage of the plan process. This potential growth area is also considered a highly suitable option for housing allocation, alongside NOR09. This is because, as illustrated on the Masterplan contained at Appendix 7, and as demonstrated in the accompanying Savills representations: It will not just deliver much needed homes (around 330), it can also deliver a new skate park and BMX dirt track which will deliver significant social benefits to the local community. It will deliver substantial levels of green infrastructure on site, including significant areas of open space. It is unconstrained in respect of all technical considerations and can deliver 10% biodiversity net gain on site. It comprises a Grey Belt site, in line with the NPPF definition. Therefore, the site has the ability to deliver housing early on in the Plan Period and can start to deliver some housing within the first five years.

Comment

Representation ID: 15222

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Barratt Redrow Plc

Agent: Pegasus Planning Group Ltd

I&O_15781
We do not have any comments to make on other potential growth areas, other than to raise a query in respect of the selection methodology for including potential growth areas in Options B Option C (the methodology for inclusion in Option A is fairly evident), as the explanatory text at Appendix B (Page 260) focuses on the general identification of these areas (identified through a land search then filtered for significant constraints then given a standard indicative capacity), however it does not explain how areas are selected for each option. Option C (sustainable growth corridors) confirms an onus on locations well-served by rail and bus services, however it is unclear how this will be assessed/quantified moving forward. For example, potential growth areas NOR01 (Barton North) and NOR10 (Weaverham South) do not appear to fit the current criteria for Option C, being some distance away from railway stations and high frequency bus corridors, when compared with some of the other potential growth areas (including NOR02, NOR06, NOR07, NOR08, NOR09, NOR11 ). It will be important to clarify the site selection methodology when assessing and allocating potential sites as the Local Plan progresses towards Examination.

Comment

Representation ID: 15223

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Barratt Redrow Plc

Agent: Pegasus Planning Group Ltd

I&O_15782
Alongside the provision of circa 580 homes, Land at Chester Road, Hartford also has the ability to deliver a potential new school and local amenities area, alongside substantial areas of greenspace (known as Hartford Parkland), a community orchard and community allotments. Land at Chester Road, Hartford (NOR09) is therefore very well placed to deliver additional infrastructure for the beneficial use of the existing community, as well as future residents.

Comment

Representation ID: 15225

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Barratt Redrow Plc

Agent: Pegasus Planning Group Ltd

I&O_15784
At this stage, the policy refers to Winnington and Wincham Urban Villages (mixed-use allocations in the adopted Development Plan), Northwich Town Centre and Gadbrook Park (employment). Redrow support the recognition in the draft policy that other sites to be identified will depend on the chosen spatial strategy. There will clearly be a need to allocate additional sites, with Land at Chester Road, Hartford ( NOR09 ) and Sandy Lane, Weaverham ( NOR11 ) comprising highly suitable residential sites which should be allocated in the new Local Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 15226

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Barratt Redrow Plc

Agent: Pegasus Planning Group Ltd

I&O_15785
The draft policy notes how the new Local Plan will set out the level and location of new development within Northwich and the surrounding settlements which make up the Northwich urban area. Barratt Redrow wholly support the retention of the existing settlements that make up the wider Northwich urban area. Indeed, Hartford should remain as per its current designation within the Northwich urban area, with its boundaries redefined to accommodate a residential allocation at Land at Chester Road (growth area NOR09). Weaverham should also remain as per its current designation within the Northwich urban area, with its boundaries redefined to accommodate a residential allocation at Sandy Lane (growth area NOR11).

Comment

Representation ID: 15227

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Barratt Redrow Plc

Agent: Pegasus Planning Group Ltd

I&O_15786
Noting our earlier comments in section 6 of these representations in respect of Spatial Option A not being feasible to accommodate growth in a sustainable manner, the growth options currently shown around Winsford (at Map 5.7) are disproportionate. Whilst Winsford is a main town, it should not be afforded a disproportionate amount of growth on the basis that it is unconstrained by Green Belt. Green Belt is merely a policy designation – delivering growth solely on non Green Belt land would fail to take account of all other planning considerations – most notably sustainability. In short, housing delivery on non Green Belt land is not a panacea. Growth around Winsford needs to be considered on a proportionate basis and based on evidence which demonstrates the suitability of the settlement and specific sites to accommodate growth.

Comment

Representation ID: 15228

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Barratt Redrow Plc

Agent: Pegasus Planning Group Ltd

I&O_15787
Barratt Redrow support the high level of growth proposed for Neston and Parkgate under Option C (between 1,500 – 3,000 homes), as elevated levels of growth will be required in Neston and Parkgate in order to meet emerging CW&C needs and to support Neston and Parkgate’s elevation to a ‘Market Town’ in the settlement hierarchy. This level of growth is entirely reasonable and deliverable given the 6 potential growth areas shown which have a total indicative capacity of 4,393. Whilst the final development numbers for Neston and Parkgate will be determined as the Local Plan progresses, Barratt Redrow fully support the identification of potential Growth Area NEP04 (Land at Raby Park Road, Neston) on Map 5.14 at this stage of the plan process. This potential growth area is the most suitable option for housing allocation in Neston and Parkgate because, at confirmed in the information contained at Appendix 4: The site has capacity to deliver circa 400 new homes, alongside significant levels of green infrastructure – including allotments, a Central Green, a LEAP and a LAP. The site is technically unconstrained and therefore a suitable housing site. It benefits from a sustainable location to existing amenities and public transport – located within 700m of the centre of Neston where a wide range of amenities are located. Neston High School is also located directly opposite the site. It is understood that 30% of vehicle movements in the morning peak hour are related to taking children to school. The site therefore benefits from an excellent location in this respect, as there are unlikely to be any vehicle trips between the school and the site. It comprises a Grey Belt site, in line with the NPPF definition and has the ability to deliver housing early on in the Plan Period.