Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 3835

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

The Plan should take a precautionary approach to pollution and ensure cumulative impacts are properly assessed before development is allocated or permitted. This should include air, noise, water, soil, light and vibration pollution, with particular consideration given to impacts on children, older people, wildlife and sensitive habitats. Development should not be located where pollution risks cannot be effectively mitigated, and existing communities should not face worsening environmental conditions as a result of cumulative growth.

Comment

Representation ID: 3838

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

The Plan should ensure that safety is considered from the earliest stages of site selection and design. Development should provide safe, well-lit and overlooked streets, walking and cycling routes, public spaces and transport connections, while avoiding layouts that create isolated or poorly monitored areas. Community safety should be assessed alongside the wider impacts of development, including traffic, accessibility and the pressure placed on existing services and facilities.

Comment

Representation ID: 3839

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

The Plan should address health inequalities by ensuring new development does not increase disparities between communities. Access to good-quality housing, healthcare, schools, employment, public transport, recreation and high-quality green space should be considered when allocating sites. Areas already experiencing pressure or poorer health outcomes should not be expected to absorb disproportionate growth without investment in infrastructure. Local Green Spaces and accessible green infrastructure should be protected and enhanced as important assets for health and wellbeing.

Comment

Representation ID: 3840

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

he Plan should make active travel a realistic alternative to car use, rather than simply providing isolated walking and cycling infrastructure. New developments should connect safely and directly to existing footways, cycle routes, public transport, schools, shops and employment, with routes suitable for all ages and abilities. Existing routes should be protected and improved, and the cumulative impact of development on local traffic and transport networks should be assessed

Comment

Representation ID: 3841

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

The Local Plan should support Cheshire East’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2045 and ensure climate change is considered throughout site selection, design and infrastructure planning. New development should minimise carbon emissions, support renewable energy and energy-efficient buildings, and be resilient to flooding, overheating and water scarcity. The Plan should also assess the cumulative carbon and climate impacts of major developments rather than considering individual applications in isolation.

Comment

Representation ID: 3844

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

Climate resilience should be embedded into site selection and development requirements from the outset, rather than relying on mitigation after sites are allocated. The Plan should prioritise development in locations with low flood risk and adequate water resources, while requiring sustainable drainage, water efficiency, natural cooling, trees and green infrastructure. New development should not increase flood risk, water stress or overheating for existing communities, either directly or cumulatively.

Comment

Representation ID: 3845

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

Carbon reduction should be a fundamental requirement of the Local Plan, not an optional benefit of development. The Plan should prioritise low-carbon locations, energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy, sustainable transport and reduced resource use. It should also protect and restore natural carbon stores such as peatlands, woodland and hedgerows. Carbon offsetting should only be used for genuinely unavoidable emissions, after all reasonable on-site carbon reductions have been achieved.

Comment

Representation ID: 3846

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

The Plan should support appropriately located renewable and low-carbon energy while ensuring schemes do not cause unacceptable impacts on communities, landscapes, biodiversity, farmland or wildlife. Priority should be given to rooftop and previously developed land for solar where practical, rather than productive agricultural land. Larger schemes should demonstrate genuine local and grid capacity, minimise environmental impacts and include appropriate restoration and decommissioning arrangements.

Comment

Representation ID: 3847

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

The Plan should require high standards of energy efficiency and encourage genuinely zero-carbon development wherever technically feasible. Greater emphasis should be placed on reusing and refurbishing existing buildings before demolition and rebuilding, reducing both operational and embodied carbon. New development should incorporate passive design, natural ventilation, shading and efficient materials from the outset, with clear measurable standards and monitoring to ensure commitments translate into real carbon reductions.

Comment

Representation ID: 3850

Received: 31/08/2026

Respondent: Dr Gemma Jackson

The Plan should strongly protect valued community facilities, particularly in rural villages where their loss can leave residents isolated and increase car dependency. Development should contribute proportionately to the additional demand it creates for schools, healthcare, recreation, sports facilities, open space and community services. New developments should provide accessible, high-quality green and community spaces from the outset, with particular attention to areas already experiencing pressure or deficiencies in provision.