Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 6409

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: PH Property Holdings

Agent: Asteer Planning

PH acknowledges that the current Scoping Consultation focuses on the scope and content of the emerging Local Plan rather than the consideration of individual sites.
Nevertheless, PH has previously made submissions to the Council’s Call for Sites, which should be taken into account as the Council develops its preferred spatial strategy and considers the approach to future land allocations.

PH welcomes engagement with the Council as it considers responses to the Scoping Consultation and progresses with the preparation of the new Local Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 6410

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: PH Property Holdings

Agent: Asteer Planning

PH considers the proposed Local Plan period to 2045 should be extended to 2050 to provide a more robust and adaptable framework for Cheshire East’s long-term development needs. They acknowledge that a 15-year period meets national minimum requirements but highlight national policy support for longer periods where necessary to facilitate strategic development and infrastructure. PH argues that extending the Plan would provide contingency for delays in preparation, examination or adoption and accommodate infrastructure lead-in times. They consider planning to 2050 would maintain a resilient supply of housing and employment land, reduce the risk of future shortfalls and provide greater certainty for stakeholders.

Comment

Representation ID: 6411

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: PH Property Holdings

Agent: Asteer Planning

PH considers the Local Plan should establish a positive and ambitious framework for accommodating sustainable growth during and beyond the plan period, with its vision centred on meeting Cheshire East’s identified development needs. They emphasise the importance of coordinating the Local Plan with the emerging Cheshire and Warrington Spatial Development Strategy. PH argues that the Local Plan should not simply respond to growth locations identified through the wider strategy but should proactively identify opportunities within Cheshire East that can contribute to local and sub-regional development needs. They consider the Plan’s vision and objectives should be ambitious, delivery-focused and maximise opportunities arising from future growth.

Comment

Representation ID: 6412

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: PH Property Holdings

Agent: Asteer Planning

PH supports a comprehensive and transparent assessment of potential development sites to ensure sufficient land is identified to meet Cheshire East’s housing and employment needs. They consider the site selection process should remain flexible and avoid overly prescriptive criteria that could prematurely restrict suitable development opportunities. PH recommends assessing sites using the established principles of suitability, availability and deliverability, while also considering their contribution to the Council’s wider spatial strategy and sustainability objectives. They argue that the land availability assessment methodology should consider the full range of potential development opportunities and apply appropriate criteria to determine which sites can best contribute to future sustainable growth.

Comment

Representation ID: 6413

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: PH Property Holdings

Agent: Asteer Planning

Where sites are located within the Green Belt, the assessment should be undertaken in accordance with the NPPF (Policies GB1 to GB8 and Annex E) and in particular, should clearly identify land that falls within the definition of Grey Belt to ensure that such land is properly considered through the wider site selection process. Given the scale of CEC’s housing requirement and current housing land supply position, it is considered that a significant quantum of grey belt land will need to be identified.

Comment

Representation ID: 6414

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: PH Property Holdings

Agent: Asteer Planning

The location of a site should be a fundamental consideration, with greater weight given to sites that are well related to existing settlements, particularly those that can form logical extensions to established urban areas and benefit from existing services, facilities, employment opportunities and infrastructure. This should be underpinned by a balanced spatial approach to growth across the Borough, which supports growth in principal settlements in both the north and south of the Borough; as well as in Local Service Centres (such as Prestbury) and smaller settlements (such as Peover, Higher Poynton and Henbury) where proportionate growth is required to support future vitality.

Comment

Representation ID: 6415

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: PH Property Holdings

Agent: Asteer Planning

PH considers site selection should prioritise sustainable development, including accessibility by public transport, walking and cycling, proximity to services and employment, and opportunities to improve existing facilities. They recommend assessing deliverability, ownership, market attractiveness, infrastructure, constraints and delivery timescales, while providing a diverse mix of site sizes and supporting rural communities. PH favours comparative assessment and professional judgement rather than absolute scoring, recognising that constrained sites may offer more sustainable opportunities. Sites should contribute to short, medium and long-term housing supply. They support further opportunities for site submissions and request a transparent methodology enabling promoters to understand assessments and address identified constraints.

Comment

Representation ID: 6416

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: PH Property Holdings

Agent: Asteer Planning

PH welcomes a comprehensive review of Green Belt land across Cheshire East and considers it essential that the assessment provides a robust and impartial understanding of its role and function. They support identifying areas that meet the national definition of Grey Belt. PH considers the findings should be assessed alongside housing and employment requirements, the emerging spatial strategy and the sustainability and deliverability of individual sites. Decisions on potential Green Belt release should consider relationships with existing settlements, accessibility to services and facilities, transport connections and opportunities to create sustainable development patterns, ensuring potential development locations are assessed within the wider planning context.

Comment

Representation ID: 6417

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: PH Property Holdings

Agent: Asteer Planning

PH supports reviewing the settlement hierarchy but considers it should remain flexible and reflect the varying roles and capacities of settlements. They advocate a balanced spatial strategy that directs appropriate, sustainable growth towards Local Service Centres and rural settlements where development is proportionate, well related to existing built areas and can utilise existing infrastructure and services. PH specifically identifies Prestbury, Peover, Higher Poynton and Henbury as locations where appropriately scaled growth could support established communities, services and facilities. They consider distributing growth across suitable rural locations would increase flexibility, contribute towards housing needs and create a more balanced and resilient settlement pattern across Cheshire East.

Comment

Representation ID: 6418

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: PH Property Holdings

Agent: Asteer Planning

PH supports a balanced and sustainable spatial strategy considering a range of locations and forms of development. They consider growth distribution should reflect housing and employment needs, infrastructure capacity, settlement roles, accessibility, commuting patterns and sustainability. PH supports appropriate edge-of-settlement development where this can strengthen existing communities, support local services and facilities and enable new or improved infrastructure. They argue growth should be directed towards locations providing sustainable access to employment, services and facilities while making effective use of infrastructure. PH also advocates proportionate growth in Local Service Centres, including Prestbury, and smaller settlements such as Peover, Higher Poynton and Henbury.