Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 3727

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Scott Elliott

I welcome the preparation of a new local plan as we need to understand the aspirations of Cheshire East and where they see the key areas for focus over the coming years. By allocating sites for residential development in particular this should remove the continuous submission of planning for sites which suit private developers but aren't necessarily in the interests of the authority as a whole.

Comment

Representation ID: 3730

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Scott Elliott

The Local Plan should be clear in how it is prioritising development across the Cheshire East area. In particular, there should be clarity on the ambitions for Crewe. It is our best connected town and should have ambitions to become a city. A focus on creating better links around the train station and combining this with higher density developments or redevelopments in this area should be a key consideration of the plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 3737

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Scott Elliott

I am expecting this Local Plan to be a "Brownfield First" strategy, Brownfield being defined as "land that has been built upon or altered by human activity". As well as industrial areas I would like to see our planners be forward thinking in looking at existing housing areas around key infrastructure (e.g. Crewe rail station) to look at increasing housing density in these areas to take advantage of this transport link and also to drive footfall in to Crewe town centre.

Comment

Representation ID: 3743

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Scott Elliott

Town centre regeneration and redevelopment needs to form a key part of this plan. Key to driving town centre footfall is redevelopment of land in or within walking distance of these centres. A prime example is the former Civic Centre in Sandbach. I appreciate we need SEN schools but why this site? Would this not be better being allocated as an innovative medium to high density housing development which would drive more footfall in to the town centre as opposed to a school which will increase traffic in the town at key times?

Comment

Representation ID: 3754

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Scott Elliott

Any spatial development strategy needs to balance the economic development needs of the area alongside the key aspects which make many of our towns and villages great places to live. We need to avoid clear areas of urban sprawl and keep the valuable agricultural and green spaces which define where our urban areas start and finish.

Comment

Representation ID: 3758

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Scott Elliott

Agricultural activities need to be prioritised and protected above those of housing development, particularly where the agricultural grade is between 1 and 3. Once these sites are lost we will never get them back. Climate change and ongoing conflicts across the globe highlight the importance of being able to grow our own produce.

Comment

Representation ID: 3765

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Scott Elliott

A clear objective with a measurable outcome is an ambition for Crewe to gain city status. It has the transport connectivity and now needs a clear plan on how it can be transformed using the rail hub and the connection to the M6 as key drivers for this. The opportunity is huge in terms of economic development couple with increasing population ideally driving footfall in to a town centre which has huge potential for regeneration. Increase the housing density in this key area and link it to top class sustainable transport.

Comment

Representation ID: 3803

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Scott Elliott

In identifying sites it is essential that the requirement for development is considered alongside agricultural quality, biodiversity and climate change impacts. It is also critical that urban sprawl is controlled. The site identified off London Road, Elworth will bring the connection of Sandbach and Middlewich one step close. In addition to being on BMV farmland it will inevitably lead to further ribbon development and the creation of one urban area between the two towns. If this is what Cheshire East wants it needs to be specified as an objective.

Comment

Representation ID: 3812

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Scott Elliott

This is not only happening around Crewe. The identified sites between Sandbach and Middlewich will create an uncontrolled area of urban sprawl and remove what should be a strategic green gap between the 2 towns. If these developments are allowed to proceed for housing then it is inevitable that supermarkets and other amenities will follow and this green gap which contains valuable agricultural land and a high level of biodiversity will be lost forever. Add to this the important role that green gaps play in capturing and regulating the rainfall transfer to streams and rivers.

Comment

Representation ID: 3817

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Mr Scott Elliott

The plan should consider a range of options in the distribution of development, particularly including opportunities for densification and further development within existing settlements. Such densification in the right areas will drive increasing footfall to town centres and be a catalyst for regeneration.