Alderley Edge Residents Vote in Favour of Neighbourhood Plan

The residents of Alderley Edge have voted to implement their neighbourhood plan.

The plan was put to referendum on 6^th May with 1163 residents voting ‘yes’ to Cheshire East Council using the Neighbourhood Plan for Alderley Edge to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area.

34% of the Alderley Edge electorate turned out to vote, a high level for such a referendum, and almost 91% of those who voted, were in favour of the Plan.

Sarah Greenwood, Co-Chair of the steering group, said “We are delighted that the residents of Alderley Edge have backed the Plan once again.  It will now be part of the  statutory development plan, used in local planning decisions.”

“The plan provides guidance for Cheshire East planners on what kind of houses the village wants and needs, it calls for more smaller houses for those who need to downsize but stay in the village, or for first time buyers – something residents told us they need. The Plan also protects the separation between Alderley Edge and Wilmslow and provides design guidance to ensure that the village’s character is retained.”

“Not only that, but it encourages support for existing businesses and encourages new ones, in order to create a vibrant local economy and encourages the improvement of community resources, such as sports fields.”

“Of course, the other benefit of the village having a Neighbourhood Plan is that we will receive a larger share of monies to be paid out for local use from future housing planning applications (Community Infrastructure Levy)” she added.

Mike Dudley-Jones, Chair of Alderley Edge Parish Council, said “On behalf of the Parish Council, I would like to thank those residents who worked so hard over the past 5 years to write the Neighbourhood Plan. Its policies ensure the Planning Authority consider the opinions of the residents of Alderley Edge when assessing development in the village. The Parish Council will continue to work with this group of volunteers to ensure the projects and aspirations within the Plan come to fruition.”

“I would also like to thank the residents who supported the Plan, not only in this referendum, but also throughout the consultation stages of its development.”

The Plan can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website.