Simplified planning aims to boost Ellesmere Port projects

Cheshire West & Chester Council has adopted a local development order for the North Road Industrial Area in Ellesmere Port, a mechanism to allow the construction of industrial buildings of up to 1m sq ft without planning permission.

The LDO is being used to encourage development on two vacant plots of land in Ellesmere Port, a 22-acre site owner by the Homes & Communities Agency, and the 40-acre Port Cheshire plot owned by Peel Ports.

The developments covered by the order include extensions or alterations to existing buildings, change of use of buildings, the erection of higher fences around a site, the installation of CCTV and bike shelters.

All developments included in the LDO will be subject to certain conditions and limitations to ensure environmental factors and neighbouring properties are fully considered.

Cllr Brian Clarke, Cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, said: “The adoption of the LDO for North Road is a positive and proactive move by the council to support businesses and stimulate growth.

“We have worked very hard, through a rigorous public consultation exercise, with our partners and the businesses in the area to ensure that the LDO is robust and approves appropriate types and scales of development, whilst also reflecting current market needs and trends.

“The result is a document that will support and benefit development and businesses to grow in a sustainable manner, the positive response to the consultation exercise is a testament to this process.”