Local plan scoping consultation

We agree with the Council that demand for specialist accommodation will likely to continue to increase, and we note our site’s potential to help meet this need. Our view is that localised needs should be clearly identified by the Council at plan making stage to ensure that appropriate forms of specialist housing can be planned for in the right locations.

We have enclosed previous representations made to the Council in February 2022 which were issued to the Council’s Draft Jodrell Bank SPD, which has since been abandoned. We consider much of the objections content is still highly relevant, particularly in light of recent Government announcements that Jodrell Bank will no longer be receiving further Government grants and funding.
First of all, it is important that the background context of the UNESCO status is duly considered and interpreted. We feel the Criterion cited within the World Heritage Committee (WHC) papers would be best quoted in full in the new Local Plan as these will be important considerations for any decision maker going forward. We have included the full text of the four criteria below:

• Criterion (i): Jodrell Bank Observatory is a masterpiece of human creative genius related to its scientific and technical achievements. The adaptation and development of radar and radio frequency reflectivity to develop radically new equipment, such as the Transit Telescope and Lovell Telescope, were a key part in the development of entirely new fields of scientific research and led to a dramatic change in the understanding of the Universe. The Observatory was important in the pioneering phase and later evolution of radio astronomy.

• Criterion (ii): Jodrell Bank Observatory represents an important interchange of human values over a span of time and on a global scale on developments in technology related to radio astronomy. The scientific work at Jodrell Bank was at the heart of a global collaborative network. In particular, several important technological developments such as very large paraboloidal dish telescopes and interferometer were developed at the Observatory, and were later influential in scientific endeavours in many parts of the world.

• Criterion (iv): Jodrell Bank Observatory represents an outstanding example of a technological ensemble which illustrates a significant stage in human history (1940s-1960s) – the transition from optical astronomy to radio astronomy and the associated consequence for the understanding of the Universe through multi-wavelength astrophysics. The property is also associated with the peacetime development of ‘Big Science’ as a major change in the way in which scientific research was supported and undertaken. The surviving evidence at the property related to the evolutionary development of radio astronomy from the post-war pioneering phase through to sophisticated, large scale research activity in the field makes Jodrell Bank an outstanding example of such a technological ensemble.

• Criterion (vi): Jodrell Bank Observatory is directly and tangibly associated with events and ideas of outstanding universal significance. The development of the new field of radio astronomy at the property lead to a revolutionary understanding of the Universe which was only possible through research beyond the possibilities of optical astronomy to explore the electromagnetic spectrum beyond visible light. Understanding of the nature and scale of the Universe has been dramatically changed by research in radio astronomy at the Observatory.

What is clear from the above Criterion is that much of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) status is derived from the relatively complete nature of JBO and the relevance of past findings and observations and how they have furthered human understanding of the universe. No reference of the Consultation Zone or the future role of JBO is highlighted within the Criterion above.
Within the background WHC paper there is also reference to the site's isolated rural location, 'which required an absence of radio interference' (note past tense). It is also noted that 'The ongoing scientific use of the Observatory is an important attribute reflecting the continuity of research'. However, it is important to highlight that the WHC reports do not specifically refer to the ongoing efficiency of the telescopes themselves, nor does it rule out other forms of research being the mainstay function of JBO going forward. Indeed, the recommendations to the State Party offered as part of the OUV status states the following:
'Recommends that the State Party give consideration to the following:
a) Providing a summary end of project report following completion of the current major conservation project,
b) Confirming the timeframe for the conservation of the two Botany Huts,
c) Continuing to respect and portray the historical character of the buildings and site development. This character often includes relatively primitive buildings, often with additions undertaken with little regard to aesthetics or quality construction,
d) Providing the revised Conservation Management Plan and associated Site Gazetteer when completed, to the World Heritage Centre,
e) Considering master planning for the property and buffer zone to anticipate possible future development needs.'

It is not strictly true to suggest that the preserving the current efficiency/status quo of the radio telescope is absolutely paramount to the heritage status of the site. Indeed, the above recommendation suggests that the WHC were open to some change being necessary within the Consultation Zone / Buffer Zone to meet anticipated possible future development needs but this should be master planned appropriately.

There is no evidence within the WHC reports in relation to the extent to which the buffer zone has protected the observatory's functionality/efficiency or what the baseline position is in relation to interference. There is also no reference to the existing communities located within the buffer zone within the WHC reports. Instead, the vast majority of the WHC reports and findings relate to the JBO site itself, the physical structures within it and past observations. Overall, the WHC reports highlight how JBO was at the very forefront of events and ideas of outstanding universal significance and continues to play an important role. However, going forward the UNESCO OUV status will principally seek to protect and enhance the historic aspects of the site and will ultimately limit the extent to which new telescope infrastructure could be developed on the site particularly if this undermined those aspects of the site that were relevant to the early pioneering credentials of the property.

The UNESCO criteria also make it clear that the JBO represents an important interchange of human values over a span of time and on a global scale when it comes to radio astronomy. As such, this further reinforces the importance of clearly articulating how the facilities at JBO functioned during its pioneering role, how they function now, and how they will be utilised going forward into the future within the SPD.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) announced in July 2026 that it would withdraw its annual funding for JBO, which previously amounted to £2.8 million per year. UKRI stated that future investment would be directed towards projects delivering “the greatest long term impact”. Funding for e MERLIN will continue until May 2028, and the University of Manchester will continue to own and operate the Lovell Telescope. These changes indicate a diminishing operational role for JBO within the national research landscape.

The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) headquarters is located at Jodrell Bank. The scientific data it relies upon is collected through the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescopes in South Africa and Australia, locations chosen specifically for their superior radio quiet environments. The headquarters receives approximately £15 million fundings annually and employs almost 200 staff, with the majority funded through international contributions from SKAO member countries. The UK is investing £327 million into SKAO between 2021 and 2030 .

Since the appended representations were issued, construction of the SKA Observatory commenced in December 2022 (https://www.skao.int/en/news/441/ska-observatory-celebrates-start-telescope-construction-australia-and-south-africa) and it has also now reached its first construction and verification milestones, with the first 1,024 antennas now in operation and proven (https://www.skao.int/en/news/659/first-construction-milestone-australia). This evidence demonstrates that the future of radio astronomy is increasingly centred on international facilities rather than the Jodrell Bank telescope itself.

While we recognise the JBO site remains at the forefront of research activity, technological advances mean that the Jodrell Bank telescope itself no longer needs to be located on site for JBO to fulfil its global scientific role. This further reinforces the reduced need for an extensive safeguarding zone, which dates back to 1973 at a time when Jodrell Bank was a critical site in terms of its advanced technology. In light of these global developments, significantly less weight should be afforded to the current consultation zone because superior technology elsewhere and far removed from Jodrell Bank now provides the most effective and efficient data.

Whilst we note that the 1973 Directive persists and the Council are required to consult with the University of Manchester on planning applications and development proposals within the zone, we consider the above facts and the new CEC Local Plan represents a clear milestone for the Council and the Government to undertake an independent and up to date review of the genuine implication towards delivering sustainable development within this part of the Borough vs the scientific impacts at a local and global scale.

We suggest that the new Local Plan should support development proposals where it can be clearly demonstrated that there would be no unacceptable heritage impact on JBO. Highgrove’s land interest in Holmes Chapel lies on the fringe of the existing settlement boundary, and there is no visual or functional relationship between these sites and JBO. In this context, development in Holmes Chapel should not be constrained by the safeguarding zone where no heritage harm can be evidenced.

Highgrove support the preparation of new evidence to underpin the new Local Plan. We note the various evidence-based reports that are listed. The Council will also need to prepare or review the following:
• Updated Settlement edge review for those settlements that are not impacted by Green Belt
• Accessibility Toolkit evidence
• An indoor built facilities study, playing pitch strategy update, and open space assessment and strategy.

It is encouraging that the Council seeks to work positively and proactively with the development industry to assess, select and refine development opportunities. A transparent, proportionate and plan-led approach is endorsed but this need not be at the expense of individual discussions.

That said, it is acknowledged that to ensure fairness and avoid any perception of preferential treatment, the Council will only enter into discussions on the merits of individual sites at appropriate stages within the process. Engagement will be focused on clarifying process, evidence requirements, timescales and informing the development of site-specific policies in order securing the best outcomes for communities.

Highgrove are committed to providing as much information as possible on this Site, particularly how it can provide facilities for the community. When the Council come to consider sites in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact me using the details provided below so that swift and informative responses can be provided.