Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 4143

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Alsager Town Council

It should be evident that Alsager town Council strongly agrees that the natural environment is a highly valued asset in Cheshire East. ATC has developed its own Biodiversity Policy to inform all of the Town Council functions as well as engaging with the community on the issue.
ATC would add to 5.100 that Health and Wellbeing needs to be seen as integral to green and open spaces. Clinical evidence in other boroughs has demonstrated that access to natural green space can reduce healthcare prescriptions for depression as well as reducing memory loss for dementia patients.

Comment

Representation ID: 4159

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Alsager Town Council

The Local Plan needs to raise this issue as a priority. It is fundamental to every community and it is also a vey significant economic issue, given the rising costs of healthcare and social care provision.
As outlined in the previous submission, the preservation of the natural environment is a significant factor that the Local Plan needs to acknowledge.
5.105-5.107 need to be seen as interconnected issues as they all inform each other in people's lives.
There needs to be an active policy on pollution reduction that goes beyond lip service in order to have a real impact.

Comment

Representation ID: 4162

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Alsager Town Council

As the previous submission makes clear, pollution is a very serious health threat as outlined in 5.109. The particulates associated with fossil fuels and transport in particular are extremely dangerous health risks, especially for the elderly and children.
The Town Council advocates a strong and convincing Local Plan policy on pollution reduction.
Contamination can also be a significant issue within waste disposal and the Local Plan needs to develop strong community awareness of its dangers.

Comment

Representation ID: 4168

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Alsager Town Council

The Local Plan needs to broaden its understanding of Public Safety beyond the issues listed in 5.110 to include illegal and dangerous traffic violations (e.g. speeding and e-scooters), dangerous and illegal parking of cars and delivery vans (Increased since the introduction of parking charges). The local police have been helpful in working in partnership with ATC on these issues: Cheshire East Council has not.
The issue of Active Travel needs to be related to this issue.
The Local Plan needs to close the gap between policy and practice.

Comment

Representation ID: 4174

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Alsager Town Council

ATC is supportive of a focus upon health inequalities. As a Key Service Centre, its two medical practices provide healthcare for c.20,000 patients. Given the age profile of the community, this is a serious matter and demand driven by the town's expansion over the last decade has put healthcare services under strain with little attention being accorded to them in decision-making processes.
There is also deprivation in the community, not only in the Radway Estate, and the Town Council supports the 'Connecting Communities Partnership' run by CEC and collaborates with other volunteer groups.

Comment

Representation ID: 4176

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Alsager Town Council

Our Neighbourhood Plan sees Active Travel as a positive health and wellbeing initiative and we would be supportive of a serious enhancement of this policy within the Local Plan. It links into so many other important areas of the Local Plan but seems never to feature very highly in planning decisions.

Comment

Representation ID: 4184

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Alsager Town Council

Given the vulnerability of elderly people and those with pre-existing medical conditions to heat-related death (UKHSA estimated over 3000 heat-related deaths this summer), this should be seen as a high priority in the Local Plan. This is an infrastructural issue and one that should not be just paying lip service or blandly wishful thinking. It needs coherent and deliverable objectives and should be integral to decision-making.
Clearly, energy efficiency of proposed developments should be a priority and scrutiny and evidence of impact upon pollution and traffic congestion needs detailed analysis.

Comment

Representation ID: 4187

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Alsager Town Council

ATC supports all of the measures outlined in 5.114 but suggests that they must be accorded high priority not 'add-ons'.

Comment

Representation ID: 4191

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Alsager Town Council

Again, vital areas or genuine action on reducing carbon emissions are outlined in 5.115 but they must be seen to be factors in decision-making.

Comment

Representation ID: 4195

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Alsager Town Council

The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is not a simple matter but the Local Plan should clearly endorse real policy commitment leading to delivery plans that can be assessed and monitored.