Local plan scoping consultation

I am writing as a resident of Bunbury to respond to the Local Plan scoping consultation. I understand this stage is about the scope, evidence base and issues the new Local Plan should address, rather than specific site allocations, and my comments are framed accordingly. However, I also want to draw the council's attention to a specific parcel of land in Bunbury which has already been put forward through the site submissions process, so that its constraints are on record as the evidence base for the plan as it is developed.
1. Protection of Settlement Boundaries and Open Countryside (Section 5: Scope of the new local plan)
I would ask that the new Local Plan retain and strengthen policies that protect defined settlement boundaries and open countryside, consistent with the approach taken in the current Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy (Policy PG6) and in adopted Neighbourhood Plans such as the Bunbury Neighbourhood Plan (Policies H1, H2 and ENV4). Villages such as Bunbury rely on a clear, defensible edge to the settlement to maintain their character, and on the protection of the open countryside gaps between them. I would ask that this principle be carried forward as a core part of the new plan's spatial strategy, rather than weakened in the pursuit of housing numbers.
2. Flood Risk and Drainage Evidence Base (Section 4: Baseline information and spatial portrait)
I would ask that the evidence base underpinning the new plan include a more granular assessment of surface water flood risk than generic catchment-level modelling, particularly for smaller, enclosed valleys and depressions that may not show up clearly at a strategic scale but which pose a real flood risk to individual properties. As a specific example, land to the west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury (adjoining Holly Mount and Pheasant Hollow) slopes into a small enclosed valley with no natural outflow; any assessment of this land's suitability for development should take this into account.
3. Biodiversity, Hedgerows and Wildflower Meadow Habitat (Section 5: Scope of the new local plan)
I would ask that the new plan's approach to biodiversity net gain and habitat protection give due weight to non-designated but ecologically valuable habitats such as species-rich wildflower hay meadows and mature hedgerow networks, particularly where these adjoin or lie within otherwise protected open countryside. Land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury includes an actively managed wildflower hay meadow bounded by mature hedgerows, which I would ask the council to note as part of the evidence base for this area.
4. Landscape Character and Heritage Setting
I would ask that the plan's approach to landscape character assessment specifically consider open views toward heritage assets, not only the setting of the assets themselves. Land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury forms part of an open, uninterrupted view toward Peckforton Castle (a Grade I listed building) as seen from neighbouring properties. I would ask that this kind of long-distance view be recognised as a landscape and heritage sensitivity in the evidence base for this part of Bunbury.
5. Cumulative Impact of Multiple Submissions in One Location
I understand that several linked sites in this part of Bunbury (land west of the A49/Whitchurch Road, land off College Lane/Vicarage Lane, land east of Wyche Road, and land off Saddlers Wells) have been put forward by the same landowner. I would ask that, when these or similar sites are assessed for potential allocation, the council consider their cumulative impact on the open countryside gap and settlement character, rather than assessing each site in isolation.
Conclusion
I support a Local Plan process that is evidence-led and that continues to protect open countryside, biodiversity, flood-vulnerable land and valued views as part of its core strategy. I would ask that the specific constraints identified above be recorded against land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury as part of the council's evidence base, for consideration if this or similar sites are brought forward for allocation at a later stage of plan-making.

I am writing as a resident of Bunbury to respond to the Local Plan scoping consultation. I understand this stage is about the scope, evidence base and issues the new Local Plan should address, rather than specific site allocations, and my comments are framed accordingly. However, I also want to draw the council's attention to a specific parcel of land in Bunbury which has already been put forward through the site submissions process, so that its constraints are on record as the evidence base for the plan as it is developed.
1. Protection of Settlement Boundaries and Open Countryside (Section 5: Scope of the new local plan)
I would ask that the new Local Plan retain and strengthen policies that protect defined settlement boundaries and open countryside, consistent with the approach taken in the current Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy (Policy PG6) and in adopted Neighbourhood Plans such as the Bunbury Neighbourhood Plan (Policies H1, H2 and ENV4). Villages such as Bunbury rely on a clear, defensible edge to the settlement to maintain their character, and on the protection of the open countryside gaps between them. I would ask that this principle be carried forward as a core part of the new plan's spatial strategy, rather than weakened in the pursuit of housing numbers.
2. Flood Risk and Drainage Evidence Base (Section 4: Baseline information and spatial portrait)
I would ask that the evidence base underpinning the new plan include a more granular assessment of surface water flood risk than generic catchment-level modelling, particularly for smaller, enclosed valleys and depressions that may not show up clearly at a strategic scale but which pose a real flood risk to individual properties. As a specific example, land to the west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury (adjoining Holly Mount and Pheasant Hollow) slopes into a small enclosed valley with no natural outflow; any assessment of this land's suitability for development should take this into account.
3. Biodiversity, Hedgerows and Wildflower Meadow Habitat (Section 5: Scope of the new local plan)
I would ask that the new plan's approach to biodiversity net gain and habitat protection give due weight to non-designated but ecologically valuable habitats such as species-rich wildflower hay meadows and mature hedgerow networks, particularly where these adjoin or lie within otherwise protected open countryside. Land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury includes an actively managed wildflower hay meadow bounded by mature hedgerows, which I would ask the council to note as part of the evidence base for this area.
4. Landscape Character and Heritage Setting
I would ask that the plan's approach to landscape character assessment specifically consider open views toward heritage assets, not only the setting of the assets themselves. Land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury forms part of an open, uninterrupted view toward Peckforton Castle (a Grade I listed building) as seen from neighbouring properties. I would ask that this kind of long-distance view be recognised as a landscape and heritage sensitivity in the evidence base for this part of Bunbury.
5. Cumulative Impact of Multiple Submissions in One Location
I understand that several linked sites in this part of Bunbury (land west of the A49/Whitchurch Road, land off College Lane/Vicarage Lane, land east of Wyche Road, and land off Saddlers Wells) have been put forward by the same landowner. I would ask that, when these or similar sites are assessed for potential allocation, the council consider their cumulative impact on the open countryside gap and settlement character, rather than assessing each site in isolation.
Conclusion
I support a Local Plan process that is evidence-led and that continues to protect open countryside, biodiversity, flood-vulnerable land and valued views as part of its core strategy. I would ask that the specific constraints identified above be recorded against land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury as part of the council's evidence base, for consideration if this or similar sites are brought forward for allocation at a later stage of plan-making.

I am writing as a resident of Bunbury to respond to the Local Plan scoping consultation. I understand this stage is about the scope, evidence base and issues the new Local Plan should address, rather than specific site allocations, and my comments are framed accordingly. However, I also want to draw the council's attention to a specific parcel of land in Bunbury which has already been put forward through the site submissions process, so that its constraints are on record as the evidence base for the plan as it is developed.
1. Protection of Settlement Boundaries and Open Countryside (Section 5: Scope of the new local plan)
I would ask that the new Local Plan retain and strengthen policies that protect defined settlement boundaries and open countryside, consistent with the approach taken in the current Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy (Policy PG6) and in adopted Neighbourhood Plans such as the Bunbury Neighbourhood Plan (Policies H1, H2 and ENV4). Villages such as Bunbury rely on a clear, defensible edge to the settlement to maintain their character, and on the protection of the open countryside gaps between them. I would ask that this principle be carried forward as a core part of the new plan's spatial strategy, rather than weakened in the pursuit of housing numbers.
2. Flood Risk and Drainage Evidence Base (Section 4: Baseline information and spatial portrait)
I would ask that the evidence base underpinning the new plan include a more granular assessment of surface water flood risk than generic catchment-level modelling, particularly for smaller, enclosed valleys and depressions that may not show up clearly at a strategic scale but which pose a real flood risk to individual properties. As a specific example, land to the west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury (adjoining Holly Mount and Pheasant Hollow) slopes into a small enclosed valley with no natural outflow; any assessment of this land's suitability for development should take this into account.
3. Biodiversity, Hedgerows and Wildflower Meadow Habitat (Section 5: Scope of the new local plan)
I would ask that the new plan's approach to biodiversity net gain and habitat protection give due weight to non-designated but ecologically valuable habitats such as species-rich wildflower hay meadows and mature hedgerow networks, particularly where these adjoin or lie within otherwise protected open countryside. Land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury includes an actively managed wildflower hay meadow bounded by mature hedgerows, which I would ask the council to note as part of the evidence base for this area.
4. Landscape Character and Heritage Setting
I would ask that the plan's approach to landscape character assessment specifically consider open views toward heritage assets, not only the setting of the assets themselves. Land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury forms part of an open, uninterrupted view toward Peckforton Castle (a Grade I listed building) as seen from neighbouring properties. I would ask that this kind of long-distance view be recognised as a landscape and heritage sensitivity in the evidence base for this part of Bunbury.
5. Cumulative Impact of Multiple Submissions in One Location
I understand that several linked sites in this part of Bunbury (land west of the A49/Whitchurch Road, land off College Lane/Vicarage Lane, land east of Wyche Road, and land off Saddlers Wells) have been put forward by the same landowner. I would ask that, when these or similar sites are assessed for potential allocation, the council consider their cumulative impact on the open countryside gap and settlement character, rather than assessing each site in isolation.
Conclusion
I support a Local Plan process that is evidence-led and that continues to protect open countryside, biodiversity, flood-vulnerable land and valued views as part of its core strategy. I would ask that the specific constraints identified above be recorded against land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury as part of the council's evidence base, for consideration if this or similar sites are brought forward for allocation at a later stage of plan-making.

I am writing as a resident of Bunbury to respond to the Local Plan scoping consultation. I understand this stage is about the scope, evidence base and issues the new Local Plan should address, rather than specific site allocations, and my comments are framed accordingly. However, I also want to draw the council's attention to a specific parcel of land in Bunbury which has already been put forward through the site submissions process, so that its constraints are on record as the evidence base for the plan as it is developed.
1. Protection of Settlement Boundaries and Open Countryside (Section 5: Scope of the new local plan)
I would ask that the new Local Plan retain and strengthen policies that protect defined settlement boundaries and open countryside, consistent with the approach taken in the current Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy (Policy PG6) and in adopted Neighbourhood Plans such as the Bunbury Neighbourhood Plan (Policies H1, H2 and ENV4). Villages such as Bunbury rely on a clear, defensible edge to the settlement to maintain their character, and on the protection of the open countryside gaps between them. I would ask that this principle be carried forward as a core part of the new plan's spatial strategy, rather than weakened in the pursuit of housing numbers.
2. Flood Risk and Drainage Evidence Base (Section 4: Baseline information and spatial portrait)
I would ask that the evidence base underpinning the new plan include a more granular assessment of surface water flood risk than generic catchment-level modelling, particularly for smaller, enclosed valleys and depressions that may not show up clearly at a strategic scale but which pose a real flood risk to individual properties. As a specific example, land to the west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury (adjoining Holly Mount and Pheasant Hollow) slopes into a small enclosed valley with no natural outflow; any assessment of this land's suitability for development should take this into account.
3. Biodiversity, Hedgerows and Wildflower Meadow Habitat (Section 5: Scope of the new local plan)
I would ask that the new plan's approach to biodiversity net gain and habitat protection give due weight to non-designated but ecologically valuable habitats such as species-rich wildflower hay meadows and mature hedgerow networks, particularly where these adjoin or lie within otherwise protected open countryside. Land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury includes an actively managed wildflower hay meadow bounded by mature hedgerows, which I would ask the council to note as part of the evidence base for this area.
4. Landscape Character and Heritage Setting
I would ask that the plan's approach to landscape character assessment specifically consider open views toward heritage assets, not only the setting of the assets themselves. Land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury forms part of an open, uninterrupted view toward Peckforton Castle (a Grade I listed building) as seen from neighbouring properties. I would ask that this kind of long-distance view be recognised as a landscape and heritage sensitivity in the evidence base for this part of Bunbury.
5. Cumulative Impact of Multiple Submissions in One Location
I understand that several linked sites in this part of Bunbury (land west of the A49/Whitchurch Road, land off College Lane/Vicarage Lane, land east of Wyche Road, and land off Saddlers Wells) have been put forward by the same landowner. I would ask that, when these or similar sites are assessed for potential allocation, the council consider their cumulative impact on the open countryside gap and settlement character, rather than assessing each site in isolation.
Conclusion
I support a Local Plan process that is evidence-led and that continues to protect open countryside, biodiversity, flood-vulnerable land and valued views as part of its core strategy. I would ask that the specific constraints identified above be recorded against land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury as part of the council's evidence base, for consideration if this or similar sites are brought forward for allocation at a later stage of plan-making.

I am writing as a resident of Bunbury to respond to the Local Plan scoping consultation. I understand this stage is about the scope, evidence base and issues the new Local Plan should address, rather than specific site allocations, and my comments are framed accordingly. However, I also want to draw the council's attention to a specific parcel of land in Bunbury which has already been put forward through the site submissions process, so that its constraints are on record as the evidence base for the plan as it is developed.
1. Protection of Settlement Boundaries and Open Countryside (Section 5: Scope of the new local plan)
I would ask that the new Local Plan retain and strengthen policies that protect defined settlement boundaries and open countryside, consistent with the approach taken in the current Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy (Policy PG6) and in adopted Neighbourhood Plans such as the Bunbury Neighbourhood Plan (Policies H1, H2 and ENV4). Villages such as Bunbury rely on a clear, defensible edge to the settlement to maintain their character, and on the protection of the open countryside gaps between them. I would ask that this principle be carried forward as a core part of the new plan's spatial strategy, rather than weakened in the pursuit of housing numbers.
2. Flood Risk and Drainage Evidence Base (Section 4: Baseline information and spatial portrait)
I would ask that the evidence base underpinning the new plan include a more granular assessment of surface water flood risk than generic catchment-level modelling, particularly for smaller, enclosed valleys and depressions that may not show up clearly at a strategic scale but which pose a real flood risk to individual properties. As a specific example, land to the west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury (adjoining Holly Mount and Pheasant Hollow) slopes into a small enclosed valley with no natural outflow; any assessment of this land's suitability for development should take this into account.
3. Biodiversity, Hedgerows and Wildflower Meadow Habitat (Section 5: Scope of the new local plan)
I would ask that the new plan's approach to biodiversity net gain and habitat protection give due weight to non-designated but ecologically valuable habitats such as species-rich wildflower hay meadows and mature hedgerow networks, particularly where these adjoin or lie within otherwise protected open countryside. Land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury includes an actively managed wildflower hay meadow bounded by mature hedgerows, which I would ask the council to note as part of the evidence base for this area.
4. Landscape Character and Heritage Setting
I would ask that the plan's approach to landscape character assessment specifically consider open views toward heritage assets, not only the setting of the assets themselves. Land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury forms part of an open, uninterrupted view toward Peckforton Castle (a Grade I listed building) as seen from neighbouring properties. I would ask that this kind of long-distance view be recognised as a landscape and heritage sensitivity in the evidence base for this part of Bunbury.
5. Cumulative Impact of Multiple Submissions in One Location
I understand that several linked sites in this part of Bunbury (land west of the A49/Whitchurch Road, land off College Lane/Vicarage Lane, land east of Wyche Road, and land off Saddlers Wells) have been put forward by the same landowner. I would ask that, when these or similar sites are assessed for potential allocation, the council consider their cumulative impact on the open countryside gap and settlement character, rather than assessing each site in isolation.
Conclusion
I support a Local Plan process that is evidence-led and that continues to protect open countryside, biodiversity, flood-vulnerable land and valued views as part of its core strategy. I would ask that the specific constraints identified above be recorded against land west of the A49, Whitchurch Road, Bunbury as part of the council's evidence base, for consideration if this or similar sites are brought forward for allocation at a later stage of plan-making.