Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 6564

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Hallam Land Management

Agent: NJL Consulting

The respondent considers housing affordability remains a significant challenge in Cheshire East despite previous affordable housing delivery, noting that the affordability ratio increased from 7.4 in 2010 to 7.6 in 2025. They argue that continuing affordability pressures indicate that previous affordable housing requirements were insufficiently ambitious. The respondent recommends that updated evidence and future policy requirements fully reflect the scale of the affordability challenge and seek increased affordable housing delivery. They suggest that a higher overall housing requirement may be necessary to facilitate greater affordable housing provision, subject to appropriate viability testing, and support preparation of an updated Housing Needs Assessment to inform future policy.

Comment

Representation ID: 6565

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Hallam Land Management

Agent: NJL Consulting

The respondent supports reviewing the settlement hierarchy and considers the spatial strategy should reflect ambitions for growth at Crewe alongside other settlements. They advocate sustainable urban extensions and strategic sites capable of supporting housing, infrastructure and economic growth. The respondent recommends assessing Crewe’s wider functional relationship with surrounding settlements and major employment locations, including Leighton Hospital and Bentley Motors, rather than considering settlements in isolation. They also identify Middlewich as having potential to accommodate significant growth associated with Leighton Hospital. Overall, growth should be directed towards sustainable, integrated locations capable of supporting jobs, services and infrastructure, while avoiding environmental constraints such as Green Belt and Green Gap.