Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 2128

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: Wybunbury Combined Parishes Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Many current supplementary planning policies were approved for the SADPD (or more recently). These retain significant value and should be incorporated wherever possible into future supplementary plans.
There must be better consideration of peat preservation in the CELPS. Wybunbury Ward is part of a nationally designated "Nature Improvement Area: Meres and Mosses" and CE hosts many similar areas at risk from agriculture, inappropriate development or peat removal. The impacts on climate and biodiversity can't be underestimated. Meres and Mosses and preservation of peatlands must be afforded far greater weight, not 'hidden' in other policies (ie Materials and Waste)

Comment

Representation ID: 2129

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: Wybunbury Combined Parishes Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

In rural areas, economic growth must respect the "quality of place" as a valuable resource in its own right.
Cheshire East attracts millions of visitors every year and has a vibrant leisure and tourism industry based on its attractive countryside. Agriculture and traditional agrarian businesses are a part of that countryside management. Businesses in rural places account for approximately 35% of the Borough's GDP and so strategic economic policies must respect this or risk damaging this often forgotten, but significant part of the wider economy and those that work within it.

Comment

Representation ID: 2130

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: Wybunbury Combined Parishes Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

As stated earlier, in rural areas, development must respect the "quality of place" as a valuable resource in its own right. (Economic, Historic and Environmental).
New planning policies must respect this or risk damaging this often forgotten, but significant part of the wider land area together with those who live and work within it.
This is where Neighbourhood Planning has a significant role in identifying localised priorities and developing policies that reflect these without duplicating National or LA policies. As such, the Neighbourhood Planning process must be respected and recognised within emerging CELPS policies.

Comment

Representation ID: 2131

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: Wybunbury Combined Parishes Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

One of the vision statements must refer to Cheshire East's Quality of Place and the need to "rural-proof" the CELPS policies in order to protect those areas of the wider landscape that are a critical resource in their own right.
The iconic features of the Cheshire Landscape (agricultural, natural, areas of ecological importance, historic, dark skies) are a fundamental reason why people want to live, work and visit here. Inappropriate development will undermine the Borough's most important resource.
These are partially covered in the SADPD and supplementary policies and so supporting evidential material is available and can be further developed.

Comment

Representation ID: 4154

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Wybunbury Combined Parishes Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Parish/Town councils must be consulted, regarding submitted sites, especially where neighbourhood plans are current, or being revised. Their evaluation of submitted sites is already underway in many areas, including the Wybunbury Parishes NP Area, including additional sites that may better meet the housing needs requirements of a NP Area and NPPF.
Minerals: Peat must be addressed as a separate policy area, to protect peat deposits, meres and mosses, (those with specific designations AND those that may be restored). Wybunbury Ward (nationally designated Nature Improvement Area for Meres and Mosses), has received little notice in previous planning policy considerations.

Comment

Representation ID: 4165

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Wybunbury Combined Parishes Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Within this designation, careful consideration must also be given to "LOCAL GREEN GAPS" identified in Neighbourhood Plans to offer specific protections to areas of significant local importance. (eg: The Local Green Gap of the Wybunbury NP offers protection to the Wybunbury Moss and its surrounding hydrology /drainage basin.)

STRATEGIC GREEN GAPS will still have immense importance in defining and maintaining the iconic 'differences' between towns (eg the historic market town of Nantwich and the industrial 19th century town of Crewe). The Green Gaps will help identify the transition between the two.

Comment

Representation ID: 4180

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Wybunbury Combined Parishes Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

The settlement hierarchy is useful but settlement boundaries around smaller rural communities may be inappropriate where the new NPPF that states development adjacent to settlement boundaries will be accepted. Some very rural settlement boundaries established in the SADPD were arbitrary and did not reflect the very limited "sustainability" of these communities (many with no/very few amenities or services).
Additional development must only be approved where settlements are sufficiently sustainable to support additional households OR where new development contributes to additional services and amenities. (To-date, such development is often small-scale and so not subject to any developer contributions).

Comment

Representation ID: 4190

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Wybunbury Combined Parishes Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Cheshire East has supported Neighbourhood Planning as a fundamental part of Planning Policy development. Current, compliant neighbourhood plans and those in development must be included in spatial development deliberations.
In particular the value of Local Five-Year Housing Surveys and the Housing Needs quotas (issued by Cheshire East in line with national formulae) being addressed by NP Steering Groups, offer important intelligence to help inform CELPS spatial development.

Comment

Representation ID: 4193

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Wybunbury Combined Parishes Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Settlement boundaries around smaller rural communities may be inappropriate where the new NPPF that states development adjacent to settlement boundaries will be accepted. Some very rural settlement boundaries established in the SADPD were arbitrary and did not reflect the very limited "sustainability" of these communities (many with no/very few amenities or services). Additional development must only be approved where settlements are sufficiently sustainable to support additional households OR where new development contributes to additional services and amenities. (To-date, such development is often small-scale and so not subject to any developer contributions).

Comment

Representation ID: 4204

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Wybunbury Combined Parishes Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Neighbourhood Plans provide important insights into where specific policies are required regarding development in the countryside.
Local Green Gaps, the locations including and around areas of local ecological importance may need additional policy protections not provided by the new NPPF, the emerging CELPS or existing SADPD.
So too Cheshire East is characterised by its agricultural and rural countryside - this is a resource in its own right maintaining / creating essential economic opportunities/businesses. Focussing on housing must not undermine established businesses in agriculture, leisure and tourism, or undermine national food security. (The NPPF is not sufficiently clear in this regard).