Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 1449

Received: 13/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Gordon Richardson

This is not a meaningful consultation. The online document contains almost 17,000 words and, if printed out, would cover 48 pages. It references various items of legislation and frameworks which are not adequately explained, plus topic papers and other reports associated with previous consultations. Very few people will have the time to seek, and wade through, so much poorly formatted information, or the inclination to obtain and assimilate the full range of technical information.

Comment

Representation ID: 1450

Received: 13/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Gordon Richardson

There is no mention of protecting the natural environment or of restoring nature.
There is also no mention of climate change mitigation.
Given that the Local Plan is intended to provide policies for shaping our part of the world for the medium-long term, and in the context of an acknowledged climate emergency and natural habitat crisis, these are fundamental errors.
The climate and functional natural systems are essential precursors to economic and social development and should take primacy in the list of criteria used to prepare the Local Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 1451

Received: 13/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Gordon Richardson

Environmental protection is relegated to the end of a sub-clause in the benefits of the new Local Plan.
Environmental assets, including functional natural systems (habitats, soils, hydrology, groundwater, biodiversity etc), climate adaptation (flooding, heatwaves, drought etc), noise, pollution (including light pollution), and nutrient cycles should determine where development takes place, not be subservient factors in the pursuit of unconstrained economic growth.
The “standard method” is a crude approach to providing private-market dwellings. In the light of the re-focus by the current (Burnham-led) regime onto social housing, the “standard method” is unlikely to provide a realistic basis for housing requirements.

Comment

Representation ID: 1452

Received: 13/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Gordon Richardson

The standard method effectively sets targets for private-market housing. The current government’s emphasis appears to be focused on social housing – How relevant is the standard method in the context of this change in national policy?
If the standard method is applied at each 5-year review of the plan, the baseline figure will inevitably increase at each review due to the number of dwellings built in the preceding period. This will result in perpetually increased housing requirement targets, which is untenable in a world of finite resources.

Comment

Representation ID: 1453

Received: 13/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Gordon Richardson

One of the other functions of Green Belt is to safeguard countryside from encroachment (NPPF, para. 143) . Countryside is essential in maintaining connectivity between ecologically valuable areas and where this function is evident, land should not be classified as “Grey Belt”.

Comment

Representation ID: 1454

Received: 13/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Gordon Richardson

Brownfield sites can support extremely valuable habitats and/or rare species if they have been abandoned for more than a few years. These sites should not be re-developed without a comprehensive ecological survey plus cost-benefit analysis, including a Natural Capital assessment using HM Treasury’s Green Book and supplementary ENCA (Encouraging a Natural Capital Approach) assessment.
The emphasis should be on regeneration of urban areas or, under exceptional circumstances, suburban areas, where the ecological value of the site is low.

Comment

Representation ID: 1455

Received: 13/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Gordon Richardson

The over-riding focus of the Cheshire & Warrington Combined Authority (CWCA) is economic growth - there is almost no mention of environmental issues in any of CWCA’s public information.
As part of its “…long-term, joined up approach to planning…” CWCA commits to starting work on a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) as required under the Planning & Infrastructure Act 2026. Crucially, there is absolutely no mention of nature or climate crises in this commitment.
Many planners and economists seem unable to appreciate that under the impacts of climate breakdown, or failure of natural systems, there will be no economic growth.

Comment

Representation ID: 1456

Received: 13/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Gordon Richardson

Additional Supplementary Plans are required for:
• Peatland preservation and recovery,
• Ecological connectivity, and
• Natural Capital accounting for all new development proposals.

Comment

Representation ID: 1457

Received: 13/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Gordon Richardson

There are anomalies in the transport network. East-West rail connectivity is minimal, while towns such as Macclesfield are heavily congested with private vehicles and take much of the HGV traffic between Derbyshire and the Cheshire Plain.
Space for new roads is also minimal, environmentally inappropriate, and unacceptable to local communities. The new Local Plan should facilitate demand management by prioritising public transport, active travel, and enforcement of regulations.

Comment

Representation ID: 1458

Received: 13/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Gordon Richardson

There is little acknowledgement of landscape quality, natural habitats or environmental systems in this section, other than localised designated sites or attractions.
Cheshire East is a highly regarded and popular place to live, due in large part to its general attractiveness and diversity of landscapes. These should be protected and improved in their entirety, not just as “attractions” or variously designated outliers.
Cheshire East’s Landscape Character Assessment, which was amended in 2018 without adequate consultation, should be revised to accommodate public opinion