Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 3757

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

The Council should clearly demonstrate how much suitable previously developed land is available in Cheshire East and prioritise this land before considering greenfield or Green Belt sites. The evidence should assess whether brownfield sites can realistically meet a greater proportion of identified housing and employment needs, including consideration of infrastructure, access and deliverability. This should be reflected in the spatial strategy and site selection process.

Comment

Representation ID: 3759

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

The Local Plan should support economic growth while ensuring new employment development is appropriately located and sustainable. The assessment of sites for laboratories, gigafactories, data centres and logistics should consider impacts on traffic, energy and water demand, biodiversity, agriculture, landscape and nearby communities. Priority should be given to suitable brownfield locations with existing infrastructure, rather than development that creates additional pressure on rural areas.

Comment

Representation ID: 3760

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

Please clarify how the Cheshire East Local Plan will interact with the Spatial Development Strategy and how local communities will be able to influence strategic decisions affecting Cheshire East. The Council should ensure that local needs, infrastructure capacity, environmental constraints and community views are properly considered, rather than development being driven solely by sub-regional growth ambitions. Any housing or infrastructure requirements arising from the SDS should be clearly identified and subject to transparent evidence and consultation.

Comment

Representation ID: 3761

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

Please ensure that important environmental, ecological, design and infrastructure requirements currently contained in supplementary planning documents are not weakened or lost when they are reviewed. The new Local Plan should incorporate clear and enforceable policies where these matters are fundamental to sustainable development, including biodiversity, wildlife, drainage, environmental protection and developer contributions. Any proposed changes should be subject to transparent consultation and evidence.

Comment

Representation ID: 3763

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

The Local Plan should retain strong, locally specific policies where Cheshire East has particular environmental, landscape, heritage, infrastructure or community considerations. Avoiding duplication of national policy should not result in important protections being weakened or omitted. Please clearly identify where local policies will add to or strengthen NDMPs, and ensure that locally important matters such as Green Belt, agricultural land, wildlife, biodiversity and landscape character are fully addressed.

Comment

Representation ID: 3764

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

Please ensure that environmental, social and economic assessments are robust, independent and transparent, with findings published before decisions are made on the spatial strategy and site allocations. Assessments should consider cumulative impacts, including effects on biodiversity, wildlife, habitats, agricultural land, landscape, water, flooding, traffic and existing communities. Where significant adverse impacts are identified, the Local Plan should demonstrate how these will be avoided or mitigated. You cant mitigate loss of veteran trees by planting new. They do not provide the same level of ecology, habitat, flood protection etc. It is not a like for like replacement.

Comment

Representation ID: 3766

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

The spatial portrait should recognise that Cheshire East’s rural and agricultural landscapes are valuable assets, not simply areas available to accommodate growth. Please ensure the baseline considers landscape character, high-quality agricultural land, biodiversity, wildlife corridors, habitats and the distinct character of individual villages and rural communities. The differences between urban, market town and rural areas should inform the spatial strategy so that development is directed to appropriate locations rather than placing disproportionate pressure on rural areas.

Comment

Representation ID: 3768

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

The relatively low population density and significant rural character of Cheshire East should be recognised when considering the scale and distribution of future development. Growth should be directed towards locations with the infrastructure and services to support it, rather than placing disproportionate pressure on rural areas. The Local Plan should also consider the cumulative impact of development across neighbouring authorities and ensure that cross-boundary growth does not undermine Cheshire East’s landscapes, agricultural land, biodiversity or existing communities.

Comment

Representation ID: 3774

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

Strong strategic transport connections should not mean that all areas are suitable for significant growth. The Plan should assess local road and public transport capacity, congestion and sustainable travel options at settlement and site level. The presence of a railway station should not, in itself, justify development, as existing rail infrastructure may already be at or near capacity and significant upgrades could be required. The feasibility and funding of improvements must be established before rail connectivity is relied upon to support growth, particularly at smaller stations such as Adlington.

Comment

Representation ID: 3777

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

The Plan should recognise that Cheshire East’s economic strengths must be balanced with the needs and wellbeing of existing communities. Growth in science, manufacturing, engineering and other sectors should be supported where appropriate, but development should consider housing affordability, infrastructure capacity, traffic, environmental impacts and access to local employment. The Plan should also address inequalities between areas, ensuring investment and development help reduce deprivation rather than concentrating benefits in already prosperous locations.