Comment

Representation ID: 162

Received: 14/07/2025

Respondent: Mike Mather

I&O_184
Policy will not deliver healthy town centres. They'll live or duie based on their attraction and untilisation. Northwich is past the point of no return as a shopping centre. Peoples habits have changed. They need retasking to leisure use.

Comment

Representation ID: 346

Received: 22/07/2025

Respondent: Chester Archaeological Society

TC 1
I&O_377
Question TC 1 The policy approach states: ‘Development should be of an appropriate scale that reflects the size and role of each centre and should not have an unacceptable impact on other centres’. There is an inconsistency here in that out-of-town retail centres, especially Cheshire Oaks, are already recognised as having a harmful effect on a number of towns in the borough. Why are they permitted? It is not only the size of edge-of-town or out-of-town developments that should be considered but their function. Sports grounds and builders’ merchants/DIY stores, for example, are unlikely to be suitable for town-centre locations given their necessary size and, in the second case, the reasonable need to vehicle access. However, it would currently be bizarre for other retailers to assert the need to be sited outside the centres of Chester and Northwich when the former Marks & Spencer premises on the north side of Foregate Street and the former Co-op on the south side of that street have been subdivided and the former British Home Stores on the north side of Foregate Street remains vacant. In Northwich we understand that subdivision of some Barons Quay units is now contemplated. Encouragement of city-centre living should not lead to the loss of retail, which may then relocate to peripheral sites, encouraging car use; see our answer to question CH 1.

Comment

Representation ID: 562

Received: 28/07/2025

Respondent: Historic England

I&O_645
Local Plan policies should seek to conserve and enhance the historic environment, heritage assets and their setting including improving character and identity of places.

Comment

Representation ID: 1144

Received: 06/08/2025

Respondent: Julie Smith

I&O_1249
Yes

Comment

Representation ID: 1302

Received: 02/08/2025

Respondent: Dr & Mrs JF & GM Higgs

I&O_1407
yes

Comment

Representation ID: 1484

Received: 10/08/2025

Respondent: Andrea Quinton

I&O_1592
Chester should be revitalised around the rows encouraging smaller units to use those shops with lower rents whilst encouraging larger shop companies to move back into the town centre.  For Northwich , barons quay requires a significant plan around reduced rents to encourage companies in and should have a plan around making the most of the river frontage in that area to make it a destination to visit for those out of town as well. Though again public transport will need to reflect that. As someone who lives in Weaverham, getting to and back home from Northwich in public transport is very limited so why would I bother when I can get a train to Liverpool much more easily and be there in the same time. Northwich is not a destination town and it should be. 

Comment

Representation ID: 2351

Received: 18/08/2025

Respondent: claire hepworth

I&O_2480
Small towns like neston should not be considered the same as large urban areas like Ellesmere port and should have alot more protection

Comment

Representation ID: 2483

Received: 19/08/2025

Respondent: Mary Clarke

I&O_2634
I agree with the suggested policy

Comment

Representation ID: 3120

Received: 18/08/2025

Respondent: National Highways

I&O_3294
Suggested Policy Approach The proposed policy emphasis on sustaining town centre vitality and managing out-of-centre development is likely to reduce pressure for car-based retail trips to peripheral locations. This may potentially mitigate congestion impacts on key SRN junctions near major retail parks, particularly around Ellesmere Port with Cheshire Oaks and the A5117 corridor. Policy TC1: Town Centres By reinforcing a town centre first approach and limiting out-of-centre development, Policy TC1 might help reduce car dependency and mitigate traffic impacts on the SRN for those travelling to and from the major settlement areas within the borough. For large-scale development, we recommend that National Highways be consulted on any potential impacts to the SRN for both visitor and HGV/supplier movements.

Comment

Representation ID: 3267

Received: 22/08/2025

Respondent: Antony Fairbanks

I&O_3441
Whatever you've been doing to preserve the centre of Chester clearly has not been working. Re-think your strategy.

Comment

Representation ID: 3324

Received: 22/08/2025

Respondent: claire hepworth

I&O_3498
town centres Small towns like neston should not be considered the same as large urban areas like Ellesmere port and should have alot more protection

Comment

Representation ID: 3503

Received: 21/08/2025

Respondent: Rothstone Estate Properties Limited

Agent: Savills (UK) Limited

I&O_3677
This representation is submitted on behalf of Rothstone Estate Properties Limited in connection with the above site shown on the attached site location plan. The site is a previously developed site that was used for depot / parking purposes. The site is located within the defined town centre for Northwich. The site is also identified as a Opportunity and Key Project Site in the Northwich Development Framework, published on the 6 October 2023 (see Page 5 of the Appendix). Rothstone is progressing a pre-application for a new proposed foodstore on the site. With this in mind, we kindly request that the site is designated as both an opportunity site for foodstore development in the emerging Local Plan, consistent with the Development Framework’s identification of the site as being an opportunity for development in the town centre, and aligned to that the inclusion of the site within the Council’s defined Primary Shopping Area.

Comment

Representation ID: 3717

Received: 23/08/2025

Respondent: Deryn O'Connor

I&O_3899
Yes

Comment

Representation ID: 4005

Received: 24/08/2025

Respondent: Janet Hooke

I&O_4201
Yes, retain and strengthen town centres and restrict out of town shopping developments. 

Comment

Representation ID: 4110

Received: 25/08/2025

Respondent: Mr Michael Shipman

TC1
I&O_4339
Agree

Comment

Representation ID: 4883

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Andrew Malone

I&O_5236
Yes. Town centres are vital in an age when they are commercially less attractive to businesses. Development should absolutely try and rejuvenate these areas, with a progressive approach to reuse of town centre space even if it means pivoting business specifics (e.g. a retail space becoming an office but having to retain the shop frontage). I also think small business attraction could be key. For example if I were to expand my business into a town in many cases viable/affordable commercial space is on out of town business parks (even small ones). I would much prefer a town centre space with character and local shops/eateries for staff as long as the rent was affordable and the infrastructure was good enough.

Comment

Representation ID: 5957

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Andrew Rowe

I&O_6346
Yes, protecting existing centres is vital and out of town shopping should be curtailed as much as possible.

Comment

Representation ID: 6142

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Paul Birtles

I&O_6538
TC1 I support the approach

Comment

Representation ID: 6305

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Councillor Lucy Sumner

I&O_6712
17 | TC1 Do you agree with the suggested policy approach (TC1)?   🐝 Frodsham Neighbourhood Plan Evidence Base The FNHP strongly supports Frodsham town centre as the heart of the community. The Plan emphasises: Support for independent shops and services, resisting out-of-town competition. Encouragement of tourism, culture, and leisure uses, including events at Castle Park. Protecting green corridors that connect directly into the town (e.g. Hob Hey, Sandstone Trail).   🌳 Ancient Woodland Hob Hey Wood The vibrancy of Frodsham town centre depends partly on its proximity to green assets. Protecting Hob Hey and wider green infrastructure helps underpin the visitor economy and local wellbeing.   🌹 Labour Perspective Labour’s manifesto commits to “revitalising high streets and town centres” by supporting local retail, community uses, and affordable housing above shops. HOPE for Frodsham also stresses the importance of maintaining an independent retail character while tackling vacancy rates.   🧠 Wider Context Gallent highlights the need for housing and services in town centres to prevent hollowing-out. Colenutt warns against speculative retail parks undermining local economies. Bourland stresses the integration of climate resilience – shaded streets, active travel, sustainable design.   📌 Important Considerations Yes, I support TC1. However, it must be strengthened to: Resist any designation of Cheshire Oaks/Coliseum as a “town centre”, which would undermine Ellesmere Port and Frodsham. Protect and promote independent retail and hospitality, avoiding dominance of chains or single-use clusters. Embed climate-friendly design in town centre renewal – tree planting, active travel links, EV charging. Ensure cultural and community spaces are safeguarded – not lost to permitted development into housing.

Comment

Representation ID: 6722

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Philip Marshall

I&O_7143
Broadly yes - supporting vibrant town centres is vital. However, the policy should: - Strengthen support for independent retail, arts, culture, and community uses that give each centre its distinct identity and local 'ownership'. - Recognise that national changes to Use Classes make it harder to control uses; the Local Plan must safeguard active frontages and resist excessive residential conversion at ground floor. - Ensure regeneration in centres like Northwich is comprehensive, not piecemeal, with a clear focus on making them great places to live, work and visit.

Comment

Representation ID: 7517

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Richard Strachan

I&O_7997
yes agree

Comment

Representation ID: 10576

Received: 24/08/2025

Respondent: Damon Leonard

I&O_11074
reduce pubs and bars. make owners of these places responcible for the conduct of their clients and clean 100m each side of their bar

Comment

Representation ID: 10982

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Weaverham Parish Council

I&O_11480
Council supports the suggested policy approach towards town centres.

Comment

Representation ID: 11342

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Frodsham Town Council

I&O_11840
Yes

Comment

Representation ID: 11656

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: CPRE Cheshire Branch

I&O_12154
In broad terms, yes. We support the diversification of uses within town and district centres to help ensure their future viability, provided that important local shopping and other services are still provided. Such diversification can include more housing (often at higher densities), to relieve pressure for housing development on greenfield sites. The policy should recognise the important function that individual village shops can play in rural communities, as important community assets which help avoid the need for people to travel by car to buy everyday items.

Comment

Representation ID: 12131

Received: 28/08/2025

Respondent: Linda Knight

I&O_12645
Generally agree. 

Comment

Representation ID: 14269

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Judith Critchley

I&O_14813
Yes

Comment

Representation ID: 14917

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Anthony Clark

I&O_15468
Spatial Strategy Option C should be given greatest weight and greater recognition in how it will support town centres across the Borough as a result of more dispersed housing growth (with development not just focussed on a limited number or larger sites in the centre of the Borough). By example spatial Strategy Option A would only deliver very limited benefit to Neston Town Centre compared to Option C that would deliver many benefits as a result of the scale of development locally that would be well connected to the town centre as a hub for all local services, retail, recreation and transport.

Comment

Representation ID: 15369

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: Blueoak Estates

Agent: Paul Nellist

I&O_15928
The suggested policy approach includes a statement that ‘applications that involve the loss of a retail and other uses from a town centre will need to demonstrate the unit has been vacant continuously for 12 months, adequately marketed and does not harm the criteria above’ Any new policy should positively acknowledge the role that change of use or similar redevelopment to residential proposals can make to delivering much needed housing in accordance with the proposed spatial strategy (i.e. prioritising previously developed sites in sustainable locations). The proposed 12 month requirement should also include a degree of flexibility that takes into account individual circumstances, rather than being rigidly applied.

Comment

Representation ID: 15622

Received: 21/10/2025

Respondent: Wirral Borough Council

I&O_16181
No comments at this stage.