CPRE Cheshire response to Cheshire West & Chester Local Plan initial consultation

We have responded to Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Issues and Options paper for its next Local Plan. This paper marks the first consultation stage of several that will guide the final Plan, which will set out the medium term direction for what gets built where across the Borough. The consultation closed on 29th August 2025.

In our detailed submission – compiled by volunteers on our team with planning expertise – we welcome many aspects of the emerging Plan. We do, however, have a number of significant concerns, which we outline and for which we provide supporting evidence where appropriate.

Allocation of land for development

We support the option presented of retaining the current Green Belt boundaries. However, we are concerned about the level of development in rural areas not protected by Green Belt. Care must be taken to meet development needs in a way which protects and enhances our wonderful countryside.

Housing targets

We accept that the recently increased housing targets of nearly 2,000 dwellings every year come from central government. But the method for deriving those targets is flawed. It does not link to actual household growth rates and the formulae that underpin the calculations are arbitrary. CPRE is looking at this issue nationally with a view to lobbying government further.

Increases in employment land

We argue that home working trends mean there is no need for the proposed minimum of 9.9 hectares of new employment land each year. In addition, many existing employment sites are currently underused.

Prioritising brownfield sites

We highlight that in meeting development needs, it is essential to make the most efficient use of land and existing buildings.

This approaches prioritises the use of brownfield sites, which are typically already connected to existing infrastructure. Development on brownfield promotes urban regeneration, keeps homes, jobs, schools and amenities closer together, reduces the need for people to travel, and protects the countryside from unnecessary development.

We note however that the Council’s register of brownfield sites does not seem to have been fully updated. It is essential – and a requirement under planning regulations – that this is done, in order to avoid missing brownfield opportunities and destroying countryside for no reason.

Other key points

In answering the consultation questions, our responses are underpinned by a number of key principles.

These include the need to:

• Protect and enhance the Borough’s important rural and semi-rural landscapes and settlements.
• Give greater protection to Best and Most Versatile agricultural land, so that this may continue to fully contribute to the rural economy and the nation’s food security.
• Promote a sustainable transport system which minimises carbon emissions and links effectively with land use planning.
• Protect and enhance biodiversity, tree and hedgerow coverage in line with the emerging Cheshire and Warrington Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
• Guide renewable energy proposals to the most sustainable locations and focus solar power proposals onto existing buildings and previously developed land as a first preference.
• Address the housing crisis in a more effective way, for example by ensuring that the size, tenure and type of housing provided (both affordable and market) are appropriate to local needs.
• Ensure a clear and on-going link to the aspirations of local communities, for example as expressed via the Neighbourhood Plan process.
• Avoid building on flood plains.

More information

Cheshire West and Chester new Local Plan

Full CPRE consultation response

Local Plans and how they affect planning decisions

Cheshire and Warrington Local Nature Recovery Strategy