Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 2469

Received: 25/08/2026

Respondent: Peckforton Parish

Peckforton residents recognise that the scoping consultation is only the first formal stage of engagement. Unfortunately the timescale was inadequate and its schedule during school summer holidays meant that it was difficult to obtain the views of residents on critical important vision and strategic priorities for Cheshire East. Could there please be clearer timescales and lengthier time allowed for consultation and input throughout the full process from 2026 to 2029.

Comment

Representation ID: 2470

Received: 25/08/2026

Respondent: Peckforton Parish

The increase in housing requirement to 2,530 houses to be built per year is startling. How will appropriate balance be secured between top-down national planning frameworks / pressures to build vs. proper protection and improvement of heritage assets, conservation areas, open countryside and the historic environment?

Comment

Representation ID: 2472

Received: 25/08/2026

Respondent: Peckforton Parish

The next consultation is scheduled for summer 2027, including details of the proposed spatial strategy of where development will happen, which is likely to be contentious. This consultation needs to be over a considerably longer time period than that of the scoping consultation exercise, with more precision on key dates and timelines. Indeed, at the moment it is generally unclear precisely when Gateway Reviews will take place, as well as associated consultation and local engagement at each stage.

Comment

Representation ID: 2474

Received: 25/08/2026

Respondent: Peckforton Parish

Peckforton residents are very concerned that National Planning Policy placing significant weight on the need to boost housing supply, allied with the challenge of locating deliverable housing sites across Cheshire East, will lead to inappropriate approvals for building in locations that would not normally have been allowed in the past, such as the countryside and Green Belt. Similarly, that planning applications may be approved, even if not in line with local wishes. Much greater transparency and specificity are required as to the criteria that might be applied in guiding such decisions. When will that be available, and in what detail?

Comment

Representation ID: 2475

Received: 25/08/2026

Respondent: Peckforton Parish

Location and assessment of the new category of grey belt land may well provide a significant number of sites for development. How will grey belt be defined, and by when will that process have been achieved?

Comment

Representation ID: 2476

Received: 25/08/2026

Respondent: Peckforton Parish

This has to be a key focus. What percentage of the 2,350 houses per year is expected to be built on such sites? There is clearly a hierarchy of targeted development, with brown field and grey belt sites sitting at the top. Will they receive priority?

Comment

Representation ID: 2479

Received: 25/08/2026

Respondent: Peckforton Parish

Cheshire East is now part of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Local Authority. At the moment there is no Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (National Landscape) status in Cheshire (although one is currently under active consideration for the Sandstone Ridge and area surrounding it). That is a glaring omission, bearing in mind the highly distinctive natural landscape of the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge, incorporating the Peckforton Hills. Will securing AONB status become a strategic priority in view of its tourism, wellbeing and amenity value?

Comment

Representation ID: 2480

Received: 25/08/2026

Respondent: Peckforton Parish

Cheshire East is a large borough, home to 421,300 residents, with a diverse range of settlements and distinctive landscapes. Parts are deeply rural, with dispersed development, and should be kept that way. These provide the most important contrast to more developed and urbanised environments. What strategic framework will be adopted throughout local planned development to differentiate properly and reflect local priorities and requirements?

Comment

Representation ID: 2481

Received: 25/08/2026

Respondent: Peckforton Parish

Protecting and sustaining the CE environment is a very important strategic priority. Peckforton residents wish there to be an explicit assurance that this priority will be fully respected. It is a counterbalance to urban development and densification elsewhere. How will the preservation and expansion of leisure and tourism for borough residents and visitors be incorporated within the local plan? Inappropriate development will erode vitally important heritage and leisure assets.

Comment

Representation ID: 2482

Received: 25/08/2026

Respondent: Peckforton Parish

The borough consists of several towns of varying sizes, along with an extensive rural area covering many villages and smaller settlements. There needs to be a strategic emphasis within the new local plan that maintains the importance of that balance.