Cheshire East’s Local Plan has finally been formally adopted, bringing hope to those fighting ‘unsustainable’ development in Nantwich and surrounding villages.
The decision comes after a planning inspector gave Cheshire East Council’s strategic blueprint for shaping development in the borough up to 2030 a “clean bill of health” last month.
The Plan was approved by a meeting of full council today (July 27).
It follows three years of submissions and more than 60,000 comments during 11 separate rounds of public consultation.
The process had suffered delays and incurred extra costs after an initial rejection due to it not providing an adequate supply of housing land.
But this has now been addressed and will support the council’s case against inappropriate or unsustainable housing proposals.
Cllr Rachel Bailey, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “It has been a long and sometimes difficult journey.
“But we understood the importance of getting this blueprint right – and the adoption of our Local Plan is great news for the people of Cheshire East.
“The Local Plan is the council’s most important tool for shaping development in Cheshire East to 2030 – so today is a landmark for this authority, local businesses and our residents.”
Cllr Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East cabinet member for housing and planning, added: “The planning inspector acknowledged our Local Plan was one of the most complex and consulted upon he had seen in his more than 20 years’ experience.
“There has been a tremendous response from our residents and other stakeholders during the very extensive rounds of public consultations and I’m sure it has allowed everyone to feel they had the opportunity to have their say on the plan.”
Planning Inspector Stephen Pratt said in his final report: “I consider the overall development strategy for Cheshire East, including provision for housing and employment land, is soundly based, effective, deliverable, appropriate, locally distinctive and justified by robust, proportionate and credible evidence and is positively prepared and consistent with national policy.”
Sean Hannaby, the council’s director of planning and strategic development, said: “We are picking up the challenge from Whitehall to accelerate delivery of new homes to meet demand.
“Under our Local Plan, we see a significant increase in our new-build to 1,800 homes per year.
“The plan also identifies more than 2,500 acres of land for housing – an area equivalent to around 2,600 football pitches.
“We have already been building houses at an increasing rate to help meet demand, with completions totalling 1,760 homes in 2016/17 – a four-fold increase on the figure for 2010/11.
“On top of that, we have 400 sites currently under construction and current planning consent for more than 20,000 homes.”
Cheshire East’s Local Plan includes provision for at least 36,000 new homes and 380 hectares of development land, to reflect a stronger anticipated annual jobs growth rate of 0.7%.
The inspector endorsed all of the 60-plus strategic sites within the Local Plan, including larger-scale proposals, such as the North Cheshire Garden Village at Handforth.
He also supported the council’s strategy of making modest amendments to green belt land and other key policies regarding maintaining ‘green gap’ land between settlements.
Less than 2% of the borough’s green belt land will be affected by increased development need.
For further information visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/localplan
Recent Comments