Local plan scoping consultation

Cranage Parish Council note that the existing distance from the parish of Cranage to currently available waste and recycling centres is unsuitable at present - there are increasing levels of fly tipping all across our rural parish, which have worsened since more locally accessible sites - eg Middlewich and Arclid - have been closed. There is also a lack of enforcement action which is presently not clearly specified by the authority.

Cranage parish Council make the following comments regarding transport:
1. Speeding
This is a constant problem on the A50 arterial route, Northwich Road and Goostrey Lane. More support could be afforded to parish councils in terms of managing speeding on rural routes.
2. Bus Routes and Frequency
The number of routes and frequency of these services is such that, in Cranage, most, if not all, journeys need to be taken by car. Due to the high percentage of the population over 65, it would be reasonable to request more routes and frequency of public transport for our residents.
3. Manchester Airport.
The noise of the aeroplanes taking off from the airport can be clearly heard in Cranage and does cause disturbance in the early hours of the morning.

Cranage Parish Council make the following comments:
1. Invasive Species Control
The council need to introduce more stringent and effective controls for invasive species such a Himalayan Balsam, which is increasing exponentially across Cranage and is presently uncontrolled.
2. Cranage Wildflower Meadows
Cranage parish Council has worked with the Cheshire Wildlife Trust to create 5 new wildflower meadow areas around the Needham Drive estate, which are now in their third year of establishment. The parish council has now taken on responsibility for maintenance of these areas, which are rich in native meadow species and are a tremendous improvement in the bio-diversity of our parish. Details of the areas are in the Cranage Neighbourhood Plan. These areas should be afforded extra protection.
2. Cranage Orchard
In addition to the above, Cranage has also converted, again working with Cheshire Wildlife Trust, a further area of grassland in the north of the parish, to wildflower meadow. This area also incorporates a new community orchard. These are also in their third year of development.
3. Will the local plan and the Cheshire & Warrington authority include their vision for protecting existing and creating new local wildlife corridors, such as those contained within our neighbourhood plan.
4. The parish council would like to see protection continuing and improving for protected trees, tree cover, areas of high and medium habitat distinctiveness, along with local green spaces.

Cranage Parish Council highly value our footpath network and local green spaces, and believe that access to the open countryside is essential for health and wellbeing. Existing footpath networks must be protected and maintained, and new footpaths created where possible. Footpaths should be accessible for all. Will the local plan include a vision for the future protection and maintenance of the footpath network.

There are footpaths along the A50 arterial route, which would be used more regularly if they were properly maintained. All too often they are significantly narrowed by weeds and vegetation, making then unsafe to use along this major transport route. Will the local plan include their vision for maintaining and improving these vital footpaths which are essential for active travel.

Infrastructure in this country is generally built and geared towards a temperature range of -5 to +25 degrees. Whatever we build going forward needs to be able to cope with a changing climate temperature. For example, newly resurfaced roads in Cranage have been extensively damaged by the recent heatwaves.
Tree planting beside highways - the existing policy for this is very restrictive in allowing new appropriate trees to be planted - there is abundant evidence that tree canopy coverage reduces heat. Will the local plan include ways to accommodate new tree planting along the highways.

Houses must be designed with sufficient levels of car parking which correspond with the occupancy of the dwelling, rather than just a blanket of one or two cars per dwelling.