Comment

Representation ID: 8925

Received: 03/09/2025

Respondent: Mrs J Jenkins

Agent: J10 Planning

I&O_9418
A 20-year plan period may be more effective in response to the advice provided in NPPF22, particularly given the need to review Green Belt boundaries.

Comment

Representation ID: 9154

Received: 26/08/2025

Respondent: Miller Developments

Agent: NJL Consulting

I&O_9647
The proposed plan period of 15 years is supported, assuming this is 15 years from adoption; however, in order to appropriately plan for housing delivery within this period and longer term aims, further consideration is required. We have previously commented that the proposed options for growth, in particular option A, proposes growth through major extensions, which would not be suitable for delivery with the plan period due to significant infrastructure required, particularly in the case of Winsford.

Comment

Representation ID: 9190

Received: 03/09/2025

Respondent: AM Littler, NJM Littler and C Leigh

Agent: J10 Planning

I&O_9683
A 20-year plan period may be more effective in response to the advice provided in NPPF22, particularly given the need to review Green Belt boundaries.

Comment

Representation ID: 9335

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Ashall Land

Agent: Marrons

I&O_9829
We agree with the Council’s proposed 15-year period for the new Local Plan, although the actual dates are not stated in the consultation document. The latest Local Development Scheme suggests that the new Local Plan will not be adopted until the end of 2027 at the earliest. Therefore, 15 years will be up to end of 2042, or even March 2043 to allow for a full final reporting year. Given that the Local Plan is also commencing from a start date of 2025, including the various evidence base documents, it would be prudent for the Council to plan for an 18-year period from now. Housing and employment need assessment work will need to cover the corresponding timetable. 

Comment

Representation ID: 9380

Received: 03/09/2025

Respondent: Trustees & Beneficiaries of Ms D Bentley dec'd

Agent: J10 Planning

I&O_9875
A 20-year plan period may be more effective in response to the advice provided in NPPF22, particularly given the need to review Green Belt boundaries.

Comment

Representation ID: 9460

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Anna & David Last

IN3
I&O_9955
Question IN3: Plan Period I believe that the new Local Plan should cover a period of 15 years.

Comment

Representation ID: 9552

Received: 03/09/2025

Respondent: C, M and R Allsop

Agent: J10 Planning

I&O_10047
A 20-year plan period may be more effective in response to the advice provided in NPPF22, particularly given the need to review Green Belt boundaries.

Comment

Representation ID: 9666

Received: 03/09/2025

Respondent: Vistry Group and J Whittingham

Agent: J10 Planning

I&O_10162
A 20-year plan period may be more effective in response to the advice provided in NPPF22, particularly given the need to review Green Belt boundaries.

Comment

Representation ID: 9783

Received: 03/09/2025

Respondent: SA, and SJ Arden, J C Coombs and J Hand

Agent: J10 Planning

I&O_10280
A 20-year plan period may be more effective in response to the advice provided in NPPF22, particularly given the need to review Green Belt boundaries.

Comment

Representation ID: 9784

Received: 03/09/2025

Respondent: SA, and SJ Arden, J C Coombs and J Hand

Agent: J10 Planning

I&O_10281
A 20-year plan period may be more effective in response to the advice provided in NPPF22, particularly given the need to review Green Belt boundaries.

Comment

Representation ID: 9901

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Paul Jennings

I&O_10398
I believe that the new Local Plan should cover a period of 15 years.

Comment

Representation ID: 9958

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Bellway Homes Ltd (North West)

Agent: Savills (UK) Limited

I&O_10455
In response to question IN3, national policy requires that new Local Plans should set policies for 15 years following adoption, as a minimum. It is considered that the New Local Plan period for CW&C should cover a minimum of 20 years, due to the scale of strategic development that is required to meet the current and future needs of the borough and to reflect the ambitious housing delivery targets set by Government. A plan period of 20 years would ensure that the Local Plan is able to set the strategic policies to meet the current and future needs of the borough. As such it is proposed that the Local Plan period should be 2025 – 2045.

Comment

Representation ID: 10012

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Horizon Cremation (Hooton) Ltd

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_10509
Horizon are supportive of the concept of shorter local plan periods which ensure that policies and supporting evidence within Development Plans are kept up-todate and remain relevant. Policies in the plan should reflect current and short-term future growth in the area in order to better guide and inform planning proposals and planning decisions. A shorter plan period will allow for more frequent reviews and updates, ensuring that the policies and data reflect the changing economic, environmental and social positions of the borough. By creating shorter plan period, the new Local Plan will further align with the Government’s intentions at reducing local plan review periods. Under regulation 10A of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended) local planning authorities must review local plans at least once every 5 years from their adoption date to ensure that policies remain relevant and effectively address the needs of the local community. Most plans are likely to require updating in whole or in part at least every 5 years1. A shorter plan period will allow for more realistic targets to be set within the document, ensuring more accurate monitoring in the progress and success of the Local Plan policies. 

Comment

Representation ID: 10073

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: R E, S, E and T Smith, Taylor, Cox and Carter

Agent: Savills (UK) Limited

I&O_10570
In response to question IN3, national policy requires that new Local Plans should set policies for 15 years following adoption, as a minimum. It is considered that the New Local Plan period for CW&C should cover a minimum of 20 years, due to the scale of strategic development that is required to meet the current and future needs of the borough and to reflect the ambitious housing delivery targets set by Government. A plan period of 20 years would ensure that the Local Plan is able to set the strategic policies to meet the current and future needs of the borough. As such it is proposed that the Local Plan period should be 2025 – 2045.

Support

Representation ID: 10106

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Geoffrey Thomson and Over Estates (Winsford) Ltd

Agent: Savills (UK) Limited

I&O_10603
In response to question IN3, national policy requires that new Local Plans should set policies for 15 years following adoption, as a minimum. It is considered that the New Local Plan period for CW&C should cover a minimum of 20 years, due to the scale of strategic development that is required to meet the current and future needs of the borough and to reflect the ambitious housing delivery targets set by Government.  A plan period of 20 years would ensure that the Local Plan is able to set the strategic policies to meet the current and future needs of the borough.  As such it is proposed that the Local Plan period should be 2025 – 2045.

Comment

Representation ID: 10157

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Northern Trust Land Limited

Agent: Savills (UK) Limited

I&O_10654
National policy requires that new Local Plans should set policies for 15 years following adoption, as a minimum. It is considered that the New Local Plan period for CW&C should cover a minimum of 20 years, due to the scale of strategic development that is required to meet the current and future needs of the borough and to reflect the ambitious housing delivery targets set by Government. A plan period of 20 years would ensure that the Local Plan is able to set the strategic policies to meet the current and future needs of the borough. As such it is proposed that the Local Plan period should be 2025 – 2045.

Comment

Representation ID: 10330

Received: 27/08/2025

Respondent: Christleton Parish Council

I&O_10827
We agree that 15 years is a reasonable period. Any more would increase pressure to allocate greenfield or Green Belt sites. These would inevitably be developed first, and use of brownfield land and urban regeneration would stall. It is almost impossible to see what economic or social factors will apply more than ten years ahead, so while significant strategic issues can be guessed at, it is not sensible to make tactical allocation decisions more than 15 years ahead.

Comment

Representation ID: 10633

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Sandra Stonham

Agent: Marrons

I&O_11131
We agree with the Council’s proposed 15-year period for the new Local Plan. However, the consultation document does not actually state what the plan period will be. The latest Local Development Scheme suggests that the new Local Plan will not be adopted until at least the end of 2027. Therefore, 15 years will be up to end of 2042, or even March 2043 to allow for a full final reporting year. Given that the Local Plan is also commencing from a start date of 2025, including the various evidence base documents, it would be prudent for the Council to plan for an 18-year period from now. Housing and employment need assessment work will need to cover the corresponding timetable.

Comment

Representation ID: 10747

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Hayfield Homes

Agent: AshtonHale

I&O_11245
Hayfield Homes are supportive of the concept of shorter local plan periods which ensure that policies and supporting evidence within Development Plans are kept up-to-date and remain relevant. Policies in the plan should reflect current and short-term future growth in the area in order to better guide and inform planning proposals and planning decisions. A shorter plan period will allow for more frequent reviews and updates, ensuring that the policies and data reflect the changing economic, environmental and social positions of the borough. By creating shorter plan period, the new Local Plan will further align with the Government’s intentions at reducing local plan review periods. Under regulation 10A of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended) local planning authorities must review local plans at least once every 5 years from their adoption date to ensure that policies remain relevant and effectively address the needs of the local community. Most plans are likely to require updating in whole or in part at least every 5 years1. A shorter plan period will allow for more realistic targets to be set within the document, ensuring more accurate monitoring in the progress and success of the Local Plan policies.

Comment

Representation ID: 10846

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Mr and Mrs . Hall

Agent: Urban Imprint Limited

I&O_11344
Whilst the most common plan period for Local Plans, once a 15 year plan is adopted there is often a 4 – 6 year period of the plan which is already past, and much of the early period of the plan is focused (necessarily) on bringing newly allocated sites online. As a result, the strategic, forward-looking nature of the plan becomes slightly truncated and it results in limited use of a plan for strategic purposes. We agree that it would be sensible to have a vision that looks towards the next 30 years but suggest that the plan covers a 20-year period (and includes allocations to meet the demand as such). Whilst aware of other arguments which would suggest this approach would lack flexibility and the ability to modify the plan to meet short and medium terms goals, given the current guidance and emerging national legislation on regular plan review this does not appear to something that would unduly constrain future plan making, and may in fact reduce the resource burden of future plan reviews.

Comment

Representation ID: 10916

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Weaverham Parish Council

I&O_11414
We think that the update Local Plan should remain for a period of 15 years.

Comment

Representation ID: 11227

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Habiko LLP (c/o Muse)

Agent: Turley

I&O_11725
The R18 LP confirms that CWACC intends to plan for a period of 15 years. Paragraph 22 of the NPPF states that strategic policies should look ahead over a minimum 15-year period from adoption and that where larger scale developments form part of the strategy for the area, policies should be set within a vision that looks further ahead (at least 30 years), to take into account the likely timescale for delivery. In order to ensure a robust approach to the emerging Local Plan, reflecting the likely timescales for preparation and accounting for a 15-year plan period post-adoption in line with the NPPF (paragraph 22), Habiko considers that CWACC should, as a minimum, be looking to prepare a new Local Plan that will look forward to at least 2045 to enable a 15-year plan period post-adoption. It is important to note in this regard that the adopted Local Plan applied a 20-year plan period.

Comment

Representation ID: 11248

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Frodsham Town Council

I&O_11746
15 years is fine. But it needs a mechanism for major planning approvals considered towards the end of the 15 year period

Comment

Representation ID: 11485

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: CPRE Cheshire Branch

I&O_11983
It is appropriate that the new Local Plan should look ahead for 15 years. That said, in view of the fact that it is now mandatory for all Local Plans to be reviewed every five years, we assume the Plan may change if necessary, for example to address any changes of circumstances. Whilst the 5-year reviews may be challenging for local authorities to resource, and may lead to some reduced certainty, CPRE Cheshire is broadly happy with this approach.

Comment

Representation ID: 11755

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Beck Homes Limited

Agent: NJL Consulting

I&O_12253
The proposed plan period of 15 years is supported, assuming this is 15 years from adoption; however, in order to appropriately plan for housing delivery within this period and longer term aims, further consideration is required. We have previously commented that the proposed options for growth, in particular option A, proposes growth through major extensions, which would not be suitable for delivery with the plan period due to significant infrastructure required, particularly in the case of Winsford.

Comment

Representation ID: 11989

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Mr and Mrs R Basford

Agent: Grimster Planning

I&O_12503
In accordance with paragraph 22 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published in December 2024, the strategic policies of the new Local Plan should cover a minimum 15-year period from adoption. It is not considered that the Council should consider new settlements as part of its development strategy such that it would warrant an extended, 30-year Local Plan period.

Comment

Representation ID: 12050

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Beneficiaries of E C Francis

Agent: Grimster Planning

I&O_12564
In accordance with paragraph 22 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published in December 2024, the strategic policies of the new Local Plan should cover a minimum 15-year period from adoption. It is not considered that the Council should consider new settlements as part of its development strategy such that it would warrant an extended, 30-year Local Plan period.

Comment

Representation ID: 12365

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Mr James Caldwell

I&O_12881
You are proposing a plan that has a timescale of 15 yrs plus. There will shortly be a new Combined Authority, you argue the plan cannot wait. It seems to me that the current separate authorities developing their own plans now is not a good use of taxpayer resources and will result in compromised solutions that will require integration is the near future, again poor use of strapped funds. Far better to cooperate now to develop a joint plan with a can-do attitude and developed at pace.  (para 1:10 Scope) Additionally in 1:7, Scope you mention Green Belt protection and providing open spaces and the natural historic environment. Your implementation proposals go against all that e.g. SS41 to 43 Para 1.28 Neighborhood Plan should not be highly influenced by land being proactively offered ie by landowners wanting to release personal value

Comment

Representation ID: 12440

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Carden Group

I&O_12957
The length of the Local Plan period is critical. While the Council proposes a 15-year plan period, in accordance with paragraph 22 of the NPPF, this must be measured from the anticipated date of adoption, not from the plan’s base year. Given that adoption is unlikely before late 2027, or potentially early 2028, the plan period should extend to at least 2043 as a minimum. Furthermore, paragraph 22 of the NPPF states: “ Where larger scale developments such as new settlements or significant extensions to existing villages and towns form part of the strategy for the area, policies should be set within a vision that looks further ahead (at least 30 years), to take into account the likely timescale for delivery .” This is particularly applicable to the emerging CWaC Local Plan, which includes several significant strategic growth locations. For example: • CH02: Chester East- Piper’s Ash, with an estimated capacity of 4,316 dwellings, and • EP02: Ellesmere Port South, with an estimated capacity of 5,517 dwellings, and • WIN05: Winsford West- Hebden Green, with an estimated capacity of 6,376 dwellings. According to Lichfields’ Start to Finish (2024) report, large-scale sites of over 2,000 homes typically deliver an average of 150 dwellings per year. Even assuming two major housebuilders operate concurrently, potentially doubling delivery to 300 dwellings per year, the build-out period would still extend to over 20 years, particularly when accounting for a typical six-year lead-in time before the first completions, as also noted by Lichfields. This highlights the long-term nature of strategic site delivery and reinforces the need for a sufficiently long plan period. In summary, to ensure the Local Plan provides at least 15 years of housing supply from the point of adoption, the Council should, as a minimum, plan for an 18-year period between 2025 to 2043. However, given the likely inclusion of several strategic sites, many of which will continue delivering housing well beyond 20 years, a 30-year plan period (2025 to 2055) represents a more robust and appropriate approach. Extending the plan horizon allows for realistic, phased development of strategic sites, facilitates coordinated infrastructure planning, and helps maintain the relevance and deliverability of the Local Plan over the long term. This approach reduces the risk of policy gaps or early obsolescence.

Comment

Representation ID: 13327

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Landowner (Manor Park)

Agent: Carden Group

I&O_13846
The length of the Local Plan period is critical. While the Council proposes a 15-year plan period, in accordance with paragraph 22 of the NPPF, this must be measured from the anticipated date of adoption, not from the plan’s base year. Given that adoption is unlikely before late 2027, or potentially early 2028, the plan period should extend to at least 2043 as a minimum. Furthermore, paragraph 22 of the NPPF states: “Where larger scale developments such as new settlements or significant extensions to existing villages and towns form part of the strategy for the area, policies should be set within a vision that looks further ahead (at least 30 years), to take into account the likely timescale for delivery.” This is particularly applicable to the emerging CWaC Local Plan, which includes several significant strategic growth locations. For example: • CH02: Chester East- Piper’s Ash, with an estimated capacity of 4,316 dwellings, and • EP02: Ellesmere Port South, with an estimated capacity of 5,517 dwellings, and • WIN05: Winsford West- Hebden Green, with an estimated capacity of 6,376 dwellings. According to Lichfields’ Start to Finish (2024) report, large-scale sites of over 2,000 homes typically deliver an average of 150 dwellings per year. Even assuming two major housebuilders operate concurrently, potentially doubling delivery to 300 dwellings per year, the build-out period would still extend to over 20 years, particularly when accounting for a typical six-year lead-in time before the first completions, as also noted by Lichfields. This highlights the long-term nature of strategic site delivery and reinforces the need for a sufficiently long plan period. In summary, to ensure the Local Plan provides at least 15 years of housing supply from the point of adoption, the Council should, as a minimum, plan for an 18-year period between 2025 to 2043. However, given the likely inclusion of several strategic sites, many of which will continue delivering housing well beyond 20 years, a 30-year plan period (2025 to 2055) represents a more robust and appropriate approach. Extending the plan horizon allows for realistic, phased development of strategic sites, facilitates coordinated infrastructure planning, and helps maintain the relevance and deliverability of the Local Plan over the long term. This approach reduces the risk of policy gaps or early obsolescence.