Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 3063

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Transition Wilmslow

Transition Wilmslow welcomes the acknowledged importance of the social determinants of health, but is concerned that the document is weak on how such awareness will lead to the provision of access to the facilities that will address health inequalities. Use of words like ‘may’ and ‘should’ does not demonstrate adequate intention. Neither the borough’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), nor the work of the Health and Wellbeing Board feature as collaborative action critical to achieving measurable improvement. The necessary holistic approach will need to migrate into the revised NHS management arrangements currently being implemented. 5.111 should be in 5.104-8

Comment

Representation ID: 3064

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Transition Wilmslow

TW believes that active travel should be treated as a major policy theme, with measurable objectives.
We believe that if hard targets are set for housing numbers, all objectives need similar rigour: there’s no evidence of target setting for walking/cycling/bus use for example. A key area of the LP scope needs to include measurable outcome setting, including a notable mode share ambition.

Comment

Representation ID: 3065

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Transition Wilmslow

This Section should have Mitigation as well as Adaptation. As per the latest CCC report, we still need to reduce our emissions as fast as possible to prevent more an more tipping points being reached. Anything we manage to save now will help minimise the effects of Climate Change in the near, medium and long term, allowing us to adapt more easily and at minimal cost.

Comment

Representation ID: 3066

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Transition Wilmslow

A holistic approach to reducing emissions is highly welcome, and we strongly support the inclusion of peatland restoration in the strategy. Infrastructure needs to be overhauled and considered holistically: the poor state of our roads and streets are unsafe and crippling council budgets, exacerbated by the increasing number and size/weight of private cars. This needs addressing through the LP by creating the conditions for walking and cycling, investing in frequent and reliable public transport options, a strategic approach to locating development / extending amenities and public transport and curbing the unnatural and unsafe proliferation of large vehicles for private use.

Comment

Representation ID: 3067

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Transition Wilmslow

Several groups in Cheshire (e.g. DVCE Congleton Hydro) have set up or are in the process of setting up Community Energy installations: Community Energy should be enabled by the Local plan, removing barriers for installation, identifying and actively encouraging opportunities for residential estates of a certain size to have microgrid / shared generation capability. It is much harder, impossible even, to retrofit these systems, and so new build developments need to embrace shared renewable generation (heat and power) from the outset. We would like a Local Energy Strategy to be developed and incorporated.

Comment

Representation ID: 3068

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Transition Wilmslow

We strongly support the inclusion of this section and would expand it further to embed the highest quality of housing and commercial buildings. This needs to place a large emphasis on refurbishing existing properties to a high standard without associated issues (e.g. condensation , poor ventilation) and enable heat pumps to be widely adopted: the Planning system should prioritise high efficiency standard upgrades compared with aesthetic-led renovations to minimum standards.
In new build it prioritises Passivhaus principles, optimises form, and healthy homes with healthy indoor air quality, which means more natural materials, fewer off-gasing materials, controlled ventilation with heat recovery.

Comment

Representation ID: 3070

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Transition Wilmslow

While Transition Wilmslow welcomes most of the points mentioned in this section, we would like to highlight the need for the inclusion and consideration of specific facilities and hubs for young people. By young people we mostly mean teenagers, as we believe this demographic group is often excluded from existing facilities. Community hubs and accessible local facilities are important for teenagers as they can provide a safe environment, help with mental health difficulties and support vital social connections. We would welcome representation from these groups in the engagement process.

Comment

Representation ID: 3071

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Transition Wilmslow

Transition Wilmslow welcomes the recognition of heritage assets, given their importance to quality of life, the visitor economy and in projecting a positive image of Cheshire East. We strongly support the agenda in para 5.127. We wish to see a landscape scale approach to heritage and countryside assets, as shown by the Lindow Moss Landscape Partnership.

We welcome the aspiration for Conservation Areas but proposals identified in Wilmslow Neighbourhood Plan and worked up for WTC by specialist consultants have not been progressed because CEC claim unavailable staff resources.

Rules for adding insulation and renewable generation in Conservation Areas are critical.

Comment

Representation ID: 3072

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Transition Wilmslow

Transition Wilmslow would like to see the Cheshire East Landscape Character Assessment given due weight within the evidence base and more detailed landscape assessments may be required to support the Green Belt review, for example the Wilmslow LCA prepared as part of the Neighbourhood Plan.

5.145 The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment ought to be in this section

Comment

Representation ID: 3073

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Transition Wilmslow

TW consider that meaningful engagement should go beyond consultation and should involve real opportunities to shape objectives, evidence and policy direction.