Cheshire East opens local plan consultation

The authority is looking to map out where development should take place across the borough beyond when its current blueprint expires in 2030.

Housing, health, employment, and the environment are issues which will all be considered when putting together the strategic document.

A deadline of 5pm on Monday, 1 July, has been sent for responses to the consultation.

Cheshire East Council says it will make draft reports available that will help shape the plan, including the availability of land that could be ringfenced as suitable for future development.

A land availability assessment draft methodology, which considers all locations capable of delivering five or more homes, or economic development, on sites of 0.6 acres and above, has been included in the consultation.

Housing

According to a topic paper on housing provision included within the consultation, the current standard need calculation shows Cheshire East should be developing at least 1,014 homes a year, and this should continue to be used for the next local plan.

The paper suggests different policy approaches could be taken if necessary, to encourage a mix of housing development to meet local need.

Currently, three-bedroom properties are most in demand across Cheshire East’s private market, while two-bed homes are most needed in the affordable and rental markets.

The document states: “A new local housing needs assessment will be prepared to provide an up-to-date assessment of housing needs across Cheshire East and it is expected that this evidence will help guide how we address housing mix in new developments.”

Retail

Another topic paper touches on how Cheshire East’s town centres should be shaped going forward.

Due to a decline in physical retail and high street footfall, there are regeneration frameworks drawn up for Macclesfield and Crewe town centres.

Town centre vitality plans are also in the pipeline for Alsager, Congleton, Handforth, Knutsford, Middlewich, Nantwich, Poynton, Sandbach, and Wilmslow.

Next steps

The next local plan will take several years to prepare and several rounds of public consultation will be undertaken before a draft is ready to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.

Cllr Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, said: “A local plan sets out how new development should take place in the future and shows what sort of development is acceptable and where, for example homes, business growth and infrastructure.

“The current Cheshire East Local Plan runs to 2030 and last year, the council decided that a new one should be prepared to replace it.”

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