The next Cheshire West Local Plan Consultation

The next Cheshire West Local Plan Consultation

Local Plans shape how land is used and how places will change and develop in the future and ensures that future development takes place using a planned approach across the Borough and considers the needs of local people in terms of housing and infrastructure.

A new national system to produce Local Plans is now being introduced by Government as part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. Council Cabinet agreed on 10 January 2024 to commit to preparing a Local Plan under the new national system for plan-making and to support the development of a borough-wide design code to eventually be incorporated into the new Local Plan or a supplementary plan.

Although the new system will not formally commence until late in 2024, the Planning Policy team has begun work on initial engagement and updating the evidence base to aid early vision and strategy development.

Evidence Base
We are publishing and inviting comments on our initial evidence base work including:

Employment Areas Survey- a review of established employment areas to identify any changes in quality or type that have taken place since the previous employment land studies and the start of the plan period.

Places Background Paper- a study of the hierarchy of settlements based upon the current level of provision of services and facilities and the role that the settlement plays in the borough.

Land Availability Assessment- an initial assessment of sites and land that have largely been put forward by landowners and developers, to be considered to meet future needs for a range of uses including new homes, jobs, leisure, and retail services.

Land Availability
We are also providing the opportunity for landowners and developers to suggest further sites that they think may have the potential for development through the new Local Plan.

An online mapping tool and site submission form will also allow people to view the detail of sites that were previously submitted to us through 'Local Plan Conversation' engagement in 2021.

To view and comment on the draft evidence base work, and submit any additional sites for assessment, visit: Planning Policy consultations
It is important to note that the submission of site and its display on the interactive map does NOT mean that the Council supports the site for allocation in the new Local Plan or will approve future development through a planning application.

Decisions on the level and location of future development have not been made but evidence from the Land Availability Assessment will inform discussions on future options for meeting development needs in line with national planning guidance.

Consultation
The consultation begins on Friday 26 Januaryand runs until 5pm on Sunday 17 March.
Any comments or sites can be submitted online via the Council's website using the links above.

How to contact us
If you have any questions, please email the Planning Policy team: planningpolicy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

I look forward to receiving your comments about the Local Plan evidence base.

Yours faithfully

Gill Smith
Planning Policy Manager
Planning Policy Team
Planning and Placemaking
Cheshire West and Chester Council
Email: planningpolicy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Visit: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/

Consultation Portal:
https://consult.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/portal