Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 5773

Received: 26/08/2026

Respondent: Pegasus Group

That Site is being promoted by Highgrove as a suitable site for residential-led allocation in the
new Local Plan to accommodate a minimum of 400 dwellings, generous open space and
landscaping, sports pitches for the benefit of the local community, and a potential one form entry
primary school and/or medical centre. An outline application for 80 dwellings at the Site has
recently been submitted since this is of a scale that would not undermine or prejudice planmaking and is shaped so that it does not hinder the vision for the Site, enabling the whole Site to
be allocated in the new Local Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 5774

Received: 26/08/2026

Respondent: Pegasus Group

The respondent argues that the new Local Plan should be based on the standard method housing need figure of 2,530 dwellings per annum, with this requirement kept under review as evidence changes. They consider this target achievable given the availability of suitable land across Cheshire East and note that the Council has consistently exceeded its adopted housing requirement since 2017, delivering an average of 2,524 homes annually. The respondent highlights the borough’s strong housing market and suggests the overall requirement may need to be increased to support neighbouring areas, economic growth ambitions, infrastructure investment, and the emerging Cheshire and Warrington strategic framework.

Comment

Representation ID: 5776

Received: 26/08/2026

Respondent: Pegasus Group

The period should extend beyond the proposed 15 years, taking account of several key strategic
considerations that will shape growth across Cheshire East over the coming decades. A scenario
would be welcomed where the plan period covers at least 25 years and prepared on an evidence
base that takes account of the 30 year investment programme for Cheshire and Warrington.

Comment

Representation ID: 5777

Received: 26/08/2026

Respondent: Pegasus Group

The respondent outlines the Local Plan site selection process and argues that sufficient sites must be identified to meet or exceed housing requirements. They note that Cheshire East has completed site identification through the 2024 and 2026 Call for Sites exercises and that submitted sites should be assessed through the Government’s staged methodology. The respondent contends that sites should not be rejected solely due to constraints if these can be mitigated. They argue that the land north of Newcastle Road is suitable, available, and achievable, with flood risk managed through excluding affected areas and creating wet woodland. Consequently, the site should progress through further assessment and allocation stages.

Comment

Representation ID: 5782

Received: 26/08/2026

Respondent: Pegasus Group

The respondent supports Cheshire East’s review of the settlement hierarchy and the evidence-based approach to assessing settlements’ sustainability, services, employment, transport links, and infrastructure capacity. They emphasise the importance of aligning future growth with infrastructure planning through the Infrastructure Delivery Plan, ensuring development helps enhance settlement function and sustainability. Highgrove welcomes engagement with the Council regarding a site in Shavington, arguing that its scale provides an opportunity to deliver supporting infrastructure alongside new housing. Potential benefits include open space, landscaping, sports pitches, and, if required, a primary school and/or medical centre, helping to meet the needs of both new and existing residents.

Comment

Representation ID: 5784

Received: 26/08/2026

Respondent: Pegasus Group

Highgrove supports the preparation of new evidence on the spatial distribution of development and believes Shavington is well placed to accommodate a significant share of future housing growth. The settlement benefits from its proximity to Crewe, strong access to jobs, services, transport links and infrastructure, and is not constrained by Green Belt, the Peak District National Park Fringe, or Local Landscape Designations. The respondent notes successful recent housing delivery and strong market demand in the area. As no suitable brownfield opportunities have been identified, they argue that sustainable expansion on the edge of Shavington will be necessary to meet future housing requirements.

Comment

Representation ID: 5786

Received: 26/08/2026

Respondent: Pegasus Group

The respondent welcomes the Council’s proposed housing needs assessment and its focus on affordable housing, specialist accommodation, housing for older people, self-build homes, and an appropriate mix of dwelling types and tenures. They support further evidence gathering on affordability variations across the borough and the consideration of development viability. The respondent notes that housing affordability has generally worsened since the adoption of the current Local Plan Strategy, suggesting existing policies have had limited impact. They argue that robust evidence is needed to quantify affordable housing needs and that increasing overall housing delivery should be considered where it would help meet affordable housing requirements.

Comment

Representation ID: 5787

Received: 26/08/2026

Respondent: Pegasus Group

National policy encourages an integrated approach to planning community facilities alongside
housing development. What is clear about this Site is that its scale means that it has the ability to
deliver significant recreation and community facilities. Not only does the Site have the ability to
deliver a minimum of 400 dwellings and generous open space and landscaping, it can also
provide sports pitches for the benefit of the local community, and a potential one form entry
primary school and/or medical centre. The detail of the substantial community facilities that
could be provided at the Site could be informed by the pending evidence underpinning the new
Local Plan, including an IDP.

Comment

Representation ID: 5789

Received: 26/08/2026

Respondent: Pegasus Group

Highgrove support the preparation of new evidence to underpin the new Local Plan, including but
not limited to:
7 Paragraph: 024 Reference ID: 2a-024-20190220, Planning Practice Guidance9
P20_3377_L005v1_PL_MAN_RD
• A complete and transparent land availability assessment and site selection process;
• A housing needs assessment which considers geographical variations within the borough
and development viability;
• An IDP which identifies borough-wide infrastructure and local infrastructure required at
specific settlements;
• Settlement hierarchy review;
• Spatial distribution of development report;
• Viability assessment; and,
• An indoor built facilities study, playing pitch strategy update, and open space
assessment and strategy.

Comment

Representation ID: 5791

Received: 26/08/2026

Respondent: Pegasus Group

The respondent welcomes Cheshire East Council’s commitment to engaging positively and proactively with the development industry throughout the Local Plan process. They support a transparent, proportionate, and plan-led approach to site assessment and selection, while recognising the need for fairness and the avoidance of preferential treatment when discussing individual sites. The respondent accepts that engagement should focus on process, evidence requirements, timescales, and the development of site-specific policies. Highgrove expresses its willingness to provide detailed information about the site, particularly regarding its potential to deliver community facilities, and encourages ongoing dialogue with the Council as site assessments progress.