Council marks key Local Plan milestone as engagement continues

Local communities are being thanked for sharing their views on the key issues, challenges and opportunities that should shape Cheshire East’s new Local Plan, as the first major milestone in the plan’s development is reached.

More than 1,500 people had their say during Cheshire East Council’s recent ‘scoping consultation’, with comments invited on a range of topics, including housing, employment, transport, community infrastructure, climate change, the natural environment, heritage, health and wellbeing. 

As well as an online consultation, the council held an in-person community assembly event with almost 30 residents from across the borough. 

Now the consultation has closed, the council’s Cabinet has today agreed to publish a ‘Gateway 1 Self-Assessment’ at the end of October. This details how the council has met certain regulatory requirements set by the Government and means the 30-month timetable for producing the Local Plan has officially begun. 

Councillor Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for planning, housing and regeneration, said:

“Reaching ‘Gateway 1’ demonstrates to the Government that the council is ready and committed to delivering an ambitious new Local Plan – a plan that will shape how Cheshire East grows and thrives into the 2040s. 

“Reaching this gateway is a significant milestone in the plan’s development and much work has already been done to get us to this point. There is still a long way to go though, and a great deal more information and evidence will be gathered over the coming months. 

“This will include continuing to listen to the views of our local communities through both statutory consultation and other engagement activities, including further community assemblies, the next of which will be held in November. 

“The focus of this assembly will be to help us develop a vision for how Cheshire East will change in the future, which will then be used as part of the evidence to shape our approach to where development might go. 

“At the last community assembly held in August, a number of themes emerged repeatedly throughout discussions, including housing affordability, environmental protection, transport connectivity, infrastructure provision, town centre regeneration and community wellbeing. 

“It is important to the council that we continue to learn about what matters most to our residents and ensure all voices and views are heard, so we can deliver a plan that supports thriving communities, a resilient economy, and a better environment for future generations.”