Local plan scoping consultation

Haslington – infrastructure-led development and cumulative impact

I am concerned about the level of further housing development being considered in and around Haslington and the cumulative impact this could have on our village.

Haslington has already experienced significant growth. The parish population increased by approximately 15% between 2001 and 2021, while the number of households increased by approximately 29%. There has also been substantial development since 2021.

Further development should therefore not be considered on a site-by-site basis. Cheshire East should assess the cumulative impact of all existing, approved and potential developments around Haslington.

The Dingle Primary School has already required an expansion providing 70 additional places, completed in 2024. Local planning evidence continues to identify pressure on primary school places.

Local planning evidence also indicates pressure on Haslington Surgery, while our local dentist has no available NHS capacity. Having a school, GP surgery or dentist physically in the village does not necessarily mean there is spare capacity for thousands of additional residents.

There are also significant concerns about traffic. The B5077 Crewe Road and surrounding network, including Crewe Green Roundabout, already experience congestion. Local observations reported to the Parish Council have recorded queues exceeding 200 metres. Future planning decisions should therefore be based on real observed traffic conditions as well as developer traffic modelling.

I believe Haslington should have an infrastructure first approach to future development.

Before additional housing land is allocated, Cheshire East should demonstrate:

1. That there are sufficient primary school places.
2. That there is genuine spare GP capacity.
3. That there is NHS dental capacity.
4. That the road network has sufficient capacity based on real traffic conditions.
5. The cumulative traffic impact of all existing, approved and proposed developments.
6. That drainage and sewage infrastructure has sufficient capacity.
7. That additional development will not increase flood risk.
8. That public transport and pedestrian infrastructure are adequate.
9. That important green spaces, countryside and wildlife habitats are properly protected.
10. That suitable brownfield and previously developed land has been considered before further greenfield land around Haslington is released.

I am not opposed to appropriate and sustainable development. However, Haslington has already taken substantial growth and I believe infrastructure must keep pace with development rather than residents being asked to accept development first and wait for infrastructure afterwards.

I therefore ask Cheshire East Council to ensure that the new Local Plan establishes clear and measurable requirements for infrastructure capacity and cumulative impact before further housing land around Haslington is allocated.