Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 6899

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Iceni Projects

Cheshire East is now part of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority. A mayoral
election is scheduled for May 2027. The Mayoral Combined Authority will then lead on the
preparation of a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) for Cheshire and Warrington which will
establish the growth strategy for the Combined Authority. While the process for the SDS has not
yet started, the emerging Cheshire East Local Plan will need to demonstrate general conformity
with it, as well as the planning reforms made in national policy.
Set within this context, the Council must progress with its Local Plan under the new plan-making
system. Our client is supportive of this, however there is a now a greater emphasis on boosting
housing delivery to meet increased housing requirements and supporting additional economic
growth. To do this, the Council must identify sufficient land to meet these requirements over the
next plan period to support the role and function of its settlements.

Comment

Representation ID: 6900

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Iceni Projects

Another key change is the introduction of ‘grey belt’ land which includes land in the Green Belt
that is either previously developed land and/or does not strongly contribute to any of purposes
(a), (b), or (d) in paragraph 1 of Policy GB2 of the updated NPPF. Grey belt should be considered
first if there is the need to release Green Belt land. As we set out within these representations,
while the release of Green Belt and development of grey belt sites will likely be needed over the
next plan period to achieve the increased housing requirement, the Council should also look to
non-Green Belt Sites such as those currently designated as Open Countryside in the first
instance, such as our client’s land.

Comment

Representation ID: 6901

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Iceni Projects

Key changes in national policy include the re-introduction of mandatory housing targets, meaning
Council’s such as Cheshire East now have a higher housing target to achieve. Based on the May
2026 affordability ratios, Cheshire East’s housing need under the standard method is 2,530
dwellings per annum (dpa). This is a 41% uplift compared to the current Local Plan Strategy
requirement of 1,800dpa, indicating that the Borough will have higher levels of population and
household growth over the next plan period, and a need to deliver sufficient homes to
accommodate said growth.
The Scoping Document acknowledges that the standard method figure is a starting point, and the
final housing requirement in the new Plan may be higher. The Council must, therefore, ensure it
identifies sufficient sites to accommodate new homes over the next plan period. We, therefore,
request that the Council fully examines within its evidence base whether there is a need to
increase the Local Housing Need figure to ensure flexibility, so that there is a suitable range of
sites to come forward for delivery, which also account for viability constraints, supporting
economic growth, potential unmet need from neighbouring areas, and delivery of affordable
homes.
The Council currently cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply (which is currently 3.3
years). National planning policy puts significant weight on the need to boost housing supply, and
as set out further below, our client’s site in Crewe is a fantastic opportunity to boost the Council’s
supply, both in the next 1-5 years to contribute to its five-year supply, and beyond.

Comment

Representation ID: 6902

Received: 28/08/2026

Respondent: Iceni Projects

As set out in the Scoping Document, the purpose of the consultation is to enable early
engagement in the plan-making process about what the new Local Plan for Cheshire East should
contain and how future consultation and engagement should be carried out. The new Local Plan
will set out the vision for the future development of the Borough, planning policies and allocate
land for future development.
We understand that evidence base documents are also in progress, including transport
modelling, a Green Belt assessment, a review of the current provision of infrastructure, and
consideration of the potential future needs for housing and economic development. We request
to review these documents at the earliest opportunity to provide further commentary on how the
Local Plan is informed.
The new Local Plan is being prepared under the new plan-making system established by
the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026. Set within this
context, the Council now has a 30-month window to prepare its new Local Plan. Our client
welcomes the Council’s recognition and commitment to adhere to these new regulations.
The Scoping Document also acknowledges that a number of changes have been made to the
national planning system which will have significant impacts on how the Council plans for future
growth. This includes the Government’s requirement for new Local Plans to respond to the recent
planning reforms which are intended to increase the delivery of new homes and support economic
growth.