Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 6858

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Nightingale Land

The Cheshire East Local Plan Review will be examined against and must be prepared in
accordance with the Plan-making policies of 2026 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
It is noted that the Local Housing Need figure has increased to 2,530 homes per annum (as it
must to be in accordance with NPPF 2026 Plan-making policy H01), a 159% increase on the
previous standard method figure of 977 per annum before December 2024 and is well above the
adopted plan requirement.
It is not yet clear how the Council intends to meet this need. However, there are a number of
statements made within the scoping document emphasising that national policy renews the
commitment to prioritise previously developed (brownfield) land for development where feasible,
indicating that the Council is likely to adopt the same approach. Paragraph 5.9 of the Scoping Document notes that in preparation for the new local plan and to
help to identify land available to meet future development needs, the Council conducted two
`call for sites` exercises: from April to July 2024 and from February to March 2026. [REDACTED]
The Council should be mindful that to
maximise supply it should seek to allocate a diverse range of housing sites suitable for a wide
range of house builders including SMEs. The key to increase delivery is to increase the number of
sites available within the Borough which would provide greater flexibility in housing land supply
rather than relying solely on a limited number of large strategic urban extensions or previously
developed land.
An appropriate buffer should also be applied in addition to the local housing needs figure to
account for any delays within the existing pipeline of sites coming forward, enabling the Council
to demonstrate a flexible and responsive housing land supply.
NL support the Council’s intention to undertake a new Local Plan under the new reformed
national-plan making system given the increase to the local housing needs figure. In particular,
we support the recognition that the Council will undertake a Green Belt assessment to identify
Grey Belt land and help inform any future decisions on potential Green Belt release.

Comment

Representation ID: 6859

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Nightingale Land

Paragraph 5.22 of the Scoping Document states that with the large number of very different types
of settlements within the Borough, establishing a settlement hierarchy will form an integral part
of the future planning strategy. Additionally, it would also inform other issues in the plan such as
the spatial distribution of development, the approach to site allocations and the definition of
individual sites and / or infill boundaries. NL supports the intention to undertake a review of the
settlement hierarchy in the new Local Plan. It is important that the review takes account for recent
growth in higher order settlements since the adoption of the Local Plan Strategy 2010-2030. In
this regard, NL considers that Congleton should be elevated to the status of a Principal Town as
it shares many similarities to Crewe and Macclesfield given that it provides most of the higher
order services (i.e theatre and A&E facilities) and a far higher population than the existing Key
Service Centres required for designation as a Principal Town. However, most importantly the
Council should ensure that any proposed Settlement Hierarchy should be justified, effective and
soundly based.

Comment

Representation ID: 6860

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Nightingale Land

Paragraph 5.130 of the Scoping Document states that the new CELP “will review whether existing
policies for Jodrell Bank remain effective and whether additional guidance or controls are
required. The World Heritage Site, its buffer zone and wider setting will be important
considerations in determining the location of future housing and employment allocations.” It was
recently announced that Jodrell Bank Observatory has lost its funding and, unless alternative
funding is secured, all scientific observations are expected to cease on 1 April 2028. The Council
should take this into account of this and direct housing to sustainable locations to meet local
need and support the Government’s objective of boosting supply.

Comment

Representation ID: 6861

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Nightingale Land

The scoping consultation notes that Plans must be assessed for their potential environmental
impacts before adoption. The Government is intending to replace the Strategic Environmental
Assessment with Environmental Outcomes Reports. However, this is yet to be formalised through
the regulations. NL support the Council’s decision to continue considering social and economic
factors alongside environmental effects ensuring a holistic approach is undertaken. The SA
therefore needs to consider and compare all reasonable alternatives as the plan evolves,
including the preferred approach and assess these against the baseline environmental, social
and economic characteristics.