Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 5085

Received: 27/08/2026

Respondent: Cheshire wildlife trust

In the subsequent list given in this paragraph, we suggest you add the protection and
enhancement of the natural environment to the list of what the local plan can address for
future consultations. This is in line with the NPPF (2026) paragraph 17. -c. which states that
a local plan has – an environmental objective – to support efforts to mitigate and adapt to
climate change, including moving to a low carbon economy; and to protect and enhance
our natural, built and historic environment, including making effective use of land, improving
biodiversity, using natural resources prudently, and minimising waste and pollution.

Comment

Representation ID: 5086

Received: 27/08/2026

Respondent: Cheshire wildlife trust

In the subsequent list given in this paragraph, we would suggest adding for future
consultations- Protecting and enhancing the natural environment of Cheshire East for
current and future generations. This reflects the commitment of Cheshire East to provide
good quality green and blue spaces which have multiple benefits to the communities of
east Cheshire. As is consistent with the goals within the environmental improvement plan
which are:
1. Chapter 1: Restored nature
2. Chapter 2: Environmental quality
3. Chapter 3: Circular economy
4. Chapter 4: Environmental security
5. Chapter 5: Access to nature

Comment

Representation ID: 5087

Received: 27/08/2026

Respondent: Cheshire wildlife trust

Planning for growth – chapters 5.5 - 5.7
Planning for growth should also include provision for environmental growth. This is
intrinsically linked to the economy, health and climate resilience. Provisions like the Local
Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) measures should be thoroughly considered into a plan
for growth.
Supporting evidence:
Final Report - The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review - GOV.UK
Nature and Human Health: Exploring the Vital Connection for Wellbeing | Springer Nature
Link

Comment

Representation ID: 5088

Received: 27/08/2026

Respondent: Cheshire wildlife trust

Housing and employment sites – chapters 5.10 – 5.18
Sites should not be considered for development that:
A) Have any existing environmental designation on them including Local Wildlife Sites
B) Have LNRS opportunities for environmental enhancement
C) Have evidence of priority habitats and species on the site
Although greenbelt’s primary objective is to reduce the impact of urban sprawl, it also offers
the opportunity for the enrichment of nature. As the UK is one of the most nature depleted
countries in the world and biodiversity is still in decline (State of Nature 2023 - report on the
UK’s current biodiversity), greenbelt is sometimes all there is left to bring nature back. Once
these sites are gone, they are gone for good to it is vital to consider these sites in the
context of the nature and climate crisis.
Furthermore, sites that have priority habitats and environmental designations are far more
likely to have public opposition to development proposals as they are very much linked to
community wellbeing.
Any site that presents environmental benefits and is subsequently developed, should follow
BNG best practice principles (Biodiversity Net Gain: Good Practice Principles for
Development, A Practical Guide. | CIEEM), most importantly – Do everything possible to
first avoid and then minimise impacts on biodiversity. By initially removing any potential
development sites that have an environmental benefit from the local plan, it will not only be
likely to reduce public scrutiny of a site, but it will also likely reduce the cost of BNG.
We strongly recommend that a policy for your new local plan includes the provision that
developers must follow BNG good practice principles as this will help ensure responsible
development in Cheshire East that will benefit the area for generations to come.

Comment

Representation ID: 5089

Received: 27/08/2026

Respondent: Cheshire wildlife trust

Strategic green gap – paragraph 5.19
Strategic green gaps seem like a redundant policy to have when greenbelt exists and is
defined in national policy. If the aim of a strategic green gap is to maintain settlement
identity and prevent coalescence of villages, this should be made green belt, or better yet,
land for environmental recovery. This would allow settlements to maintain their identity and
enhance the wildlife and habitats connectivity corridors identified in the LNRS.
When assessing these areas and within the green belt assessment, it should also consider
the wildlife corridors, designated sites and habitat connectivity corridors identified in the
LNRS. Species connectivity is essential for the environmental wellbeing of Cheshire East
and in creating resilient populations and species. As per the NPPF (2026) paragraph GB3 – 1 - Green Belt boundaries should only be altered through the preparation and updating of
local plans and where exceptional circumstances are fully evidenced and justified.
And
GB5: Beneficial uses of Green Belt land
1. Green Belt land should provide benefits for communities and nature, which means that
the development plan should, at the most appropriate level, set out:
a. Opportunities to improve the environmental quality, secure improved public access to
greenspace, including for outdoor sport or recreation, allotments and community food
production, within the Green Belt;
b. How the Green Belt can contribute to the priorities for nature recovery set out within
relevant Local Nature Recovery Strategies; and
c. Opportunities to support the objectives of the National Forest, England’s Community
Forests
Furthermore, there should be a commitment in the new local plan to prioritise development
on brownfield sites before greenbelt.

Comment

Representation ID: 5090

Received: 27/08/2026

Respondent: Cheshire wildlife trust

Natural environment – paragraph 5.96 – 5. 103
As a local authority, CEC must also comply with the biodiversity duty Complying with the
biodiversity duty - GOV.UK. As part of this, the LNRS has:
• agreed priorities for nature’s recovery
• mapped the most valuable existing areas for nature
• mapped specific proposals for creating or improving habitat for nature and wider
environmental goals
The LNRS identifies wildlife corridors, habitat connectivity and regionally scare
opportunities to enhance the natural environment. The LNRS proposals should be written
into policies within the local plan and be a fundamental part of the call for sites evaluation of
sites for development, natural environment and open land.
Internationally, the UK has set its commitments to the UN COP15 biodiversity framework
and published the UK national biodiversity strategy and action plan - GOV.UK. This
commits the UK to achieving all 23 of the Global Biodiversity Framework targets at
home including:
• Expand protected areas to at least 30% of the land and seas
• Reduce pollution from all sources to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity
• Enhance biodiversity and sustainability in agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, and
forestry
This should be reflected in the CEC new local plan to reflect the commitments at a national
level.
The following planning practice guidance should also be considered when assessing the
natural environment:
Natural environment - GOV.UK
Light pollution - GOV.UK
Open space, sports and recreation facilities, public rights of way and local green space -
GOV.UK
Green Belt - GOV.UK
Climate change - GOV.UK
Biodiversity net gain - GOV.UK
Air quality - GOV.UK

Comment

Representation ID: 5091

Received: 27/08/2026

Respondent: Cheshire wildlife trust

Health and wellbeing – paragraphs 5.104 – 5.108
It has been continually proven that access to nature is essential for the wellbeing of
individuals and communities. Access to good quality nature spaces should be considered
with health-related policies.
This is also reflected in the EIP’s commitment to access to nature for all.
Healthy Outdoors: Strengthening the Evidence for Nature Based Health Interventions –
Natural England

Comment

Representation ID: 5092

Received: 27/08/2026

Respondent: Cheshire wildlife trust

Pollution and contamination – paragraphs 5.109
Pollution should also be considered in relation to harm to the natural environment. Including
pollution impact to species (particularly protected species), designated sites and areas for
environmental protection and enhancement.

Comment

Representation ID: 5093

Received: 27/08/2026

Respondent: Cheshire wildlife trust

Recreation and community facilities – paragraph 5.118
Parks and publicly accessible natural spaces such as woodlands, wetlands and peatlands
are also crucial community natural infrastructure that should also be considered when
providing provision for wellbeing, social cohesion and cultural life.
This would also reflect Commitment 86 in the Environmental Improvement plan
(Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025 - GOV.UK) which is: Make sure that
everyone has access to green or blue spaces within a 15-minute walk from home.

Comment

Representation ID: 5094

Received: 27/08/2026

Respondent: Cheshire wildlife trust

Design – paragraphs 5.131 – 5.138
It is vital that the LNRS becomes a crucial part of designing the next Cheshire East Local
Plan and its recommendations written into policy.
This is in line with NPPF (2026) policy N1:
Development plans should safeguard and enhance the natural environment, and reflect the
wider benefits from natural capital and ecosystem services, by using Local Nature
Recovery Strategies, Protected Landscape Management Plans, River Basin Management
Plans, National Forest Strategies, Community Forest Plans and other relevant evidence
Whilst there is a large housing provision in Cheshire East, the LNRS details the urgent
need for enhancement and protection of the environment for current and future
generations. There are county-wide recommendations that should feature in the design of
the Cheshire East Local Plan and specifically, LNRS opportunities that provide a rare
opportunity to enhance limited habitats or species should be considered when designing
the new local plan.
The evidence base behind the LNRS is robust and compliant with the EIP and as such
should be put into policy as part of the plan design.
As the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, if it vital you do not
miss the opportunity to protect and enhance Cheshire’s natural spaces before they are all
gone.