Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 2056

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

The National Trust owns a significant number of properties within Cheshire East. These range from major visitor attractions including Tatton Park and Quarry Bank Mill, to free to access areas of countryside renowned for their panoramic views such as Alderley Edge and the Cloud, and local spaces such as Maggoty’s Wood. Trust places deliver a significant range of public benefits to local people and to visitors, as well as being important in their own right as natural and cultural heritage assets. We are keen to see these benefits acknowledged in local planning policy, and their special interest conserved and enhanced.

Comment

Representation ID: 2057

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

The proposed increase in annual housing numbers is significant, particularly in an area such as Cheshire East, which has a strongly defined character and many valuable natural and cultural heritage assets. There is a consequent need to ensure that this increase is carefully planned and managed. We note that a number of sites have been identified as part of the Call for Sites exercise which are in very close proximity to National Trust properties – particularly to the south and west of Tatton Park. Development of these sites may impact significantly upon the setting of the Park.

Comment

Representation ID: 2058

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

There are many ways that National Trust places can support the Vision of the Local Plan. Our new strategy emphasises the value of working in partnership, and focuses on ending unequal access to our places, inspiring people, restoring nature at landscape scale and maximising public benefit via visitor experience and conservation. These areas of focus all fall within the remit of planning. We would therefore suggest the following key areas of focus within the Vision: Climate Resilience; Conservation and Enhancement of Natural and Cultural Heritage; Widescale and Inclusive Access

Comment

Representation ID: 2059

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

The identification of sites should take into account climate resilience, conservation and enhancement of natural and cultural heritage, landscape character, and accessibility. The setting of National Trust places should be protected in local policy, and – given the wide range of public benefits they deliver - accessibility to heritage assets and open spaces including National Trust properties should be a locational criteria.

Comment

Representation ID: 2060

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

The Green Belt plays a significant role in conserving the character of Cheshire East, including the setting of many National Trust places. Any review of Green Belt boundaries should be exceptional. The Green Belt assessment should be informed by a comprehensive understanding of local landscape character, including the contribution made by National Trust places.

Comment

Representation ID: 2061

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

The spatial distribution of development should continue to focus upon urban areas, for reasons of accessibility, and landscape conservation. We would agree that landscape character, nature and ecology issues, heritage matters, flood risk, agricultural land quality, green infrastructure, Green Belt and strategic green gap designations should be key considerations when identifying sites. Consideration should also be given to the accessibility of new development to natural and cultural heritage sites. The impact of new development upon these sites, through increased visitor numbers, should also be assessed, and suitably mitigated through developer contributions.

Comment

Representation ID: 2062

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

Development should continue to be focused upon larger urban areas with good accessibility to services and infrastructure, and minimise the use of greenfield land. Development in smaller towns and villages should be focused principally on addressing local needs.

Comment

Representation ID: 2063

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

Development in the open countryside should continue to be generally restricted, with an exception in principle enabling the support of rural businesses, including farming, countryside management and the visitor economy. It should be informed by an understanding of local landscape character and natural and cultural heritage.

Comment

Representation ID: 2064

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

The Local Plan should recognise the significant contribution made by the visitor economy, and support suitable development which is appropriate in scale with regard to local context and sensitivities.

Comment

Representation ID: 2065

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

Through effective land use planning and securing appropriate developer contributions, the local plan should facilitate greater connectivity and travel choice, enabling the expansion and improvement of the public transport, walking and cycling network in key areas. In identifying the location of major development sites, consideration should be given to the accessibility of key infrastructure – which should include natural and cultural heritage assets – and how improvements to this could be delivered.