Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 7007

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Belport Limited

Agent: CBRE

Belport supports preparation of a new Local Plan and promotes land at Adlington as a sustainable strategic growth location. The submission explains that Belport acquired the 810-hectare Adlington Estate in 2023 and subsequently advanced proposals through the Government’s New Towns Programme. Although the proposed new settlement was later deprioritised, Belport notes that the Government recognised the site as having credible development opportunities. The respondent argues that Adlington benefits from strong transport connections, proximity to employment centres, existing settlement infrastructure and the ability to accommodate large-scale growth without land assembly constraints. Belport therefore supports allocation of land at Adlington to meet future housing, employment and infrastructure needs.

Comment

Representation ID: 7009

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Belport Limited

Agent: CBRE

The respondent highlights Cheshire East’s housing land supply shortfall and the increase in housing need generated by the revised Standard Method. They note that the current Local Housing Need significantly exceeds the adopted housing requirement and that the Council’s latest evidence identifies only a 3.3-year housing land supply. In their view, this demonstrates the need for a positive and comprehensive reassessment of development opportunities across the Borough. They argue that existing allocations and brownfield opportunities alone are unlikely to meet future requirements and that the Local Plan should consider a broad range of sustainable growth options, including strategic greenfield sites, settlement boundary reviews and justified Green Belt releases.

Comment

Representation ID: 7010

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Belport Limited

Agent: CBRE

The respondent explains that their representations are informed by the ongoing promotion of land at Adlington as a sustainable location for future growth. They address a range of matters raised through the Scoping Consultation, including the need for a new Local Plan, the proposed plan-making approach, increased housing requirements and the role of strategic development opportunities in meeting long-term housing, employment and infrastructure needs. The submission also considers the emerging spatial strategy, plan period, vision and objectives, site assessment and allocation processes, Green Belt policy, settlement hierarchy, transport and infrastructure planning, and the evidence base. The respondent advocates sustainable, infrastructure-led growth that supports wider social, economic and environmental objectives.

Comment

Representation ID: 7011

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Belport Limited

Agent: CBRE

The respondent strongly supports preparation of a new Local Plan, arguing that the adopted plan was produced under materially different policy and housing-growth assumptions. They highlight the significant increase in housing requirements and the need to respond positively to updated national planning policy. The submission supports a comprehensive review of development strategy, including reassessment of settlement boundaries, settlement classifications, land supply assumptions and Green Belt designations where justified. The respondent considers the new Plan should be ambitious, evidence-led and flexible, ensuring all reasonable growth options are assessed. They argue this approach will help deliver housing, infrastructure and economic growth in a coordinated, sustainable and plan-led manner.

Comment

Representation ID: 7013

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Belport Limited

Agent: CBRE

Belport welcomes the evidence-gathering and engagement undertaken by Cheshire East Council, including the Issues Paper consultation and Call for Sites process, and highlights its own promotion of sites within the Adlington Estate. The respondent supports preparation of a robust evidence base covering transport, infrastructure and Green Belt assessment to inform a positively prepared Local Plan. They argue that all reasonable development options should be assessed objectively, including settlements not fully considered in previous Green Belt studies. Belport considers Adlington a sustainable location for growth and supports reassessment of its development potential under current national policy. The respondent welcomes continued engagement and seeks full consideration of Adlington’s opportunities through the plan-making process.

Comment

Representation ID: 7016

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Belport Limited

Agent: CBRE

The respondent acknowledges the significant increase in Cheshire East’s housing requirement and argues that this figure should be treated as a minimum starting point for plan-making, with higher provision potentially required to support economic growth and labour market needs. They advocate a positive and realistic approach to growth, including consideration of sustainable Green Belt locations near railway stations. Adlington is identified as a sustainable location due to its rail connectivity, accessibility and potential for increased services. The respondent considers the increased housing requirement necessitates a reassessment of settlement capacity, Green Belt policy and development opportunities and supports a broad portfolio of sustainable, deliverable sites to meet housing needs.

Comment

Representation ID: 7017

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Belport Limited

Agent: CBRE

Belport supports a comprehensive review of Cheshire East’s Green Belt in light of recent national policy changes and increased housing needs. The respondent argues that Green Belt boundaries should be reassessed through an objective, evidence-led process and that existing assumptions about permanence should not constrain consideration of sustainable development opportunities. Belport contends that Adlington functions as an established settlement with services, facilities and a railway station and should be removed from the Green Belt and recognised as a settlement in its own right. They welcome the introduction of Grey Belt policy and consider Adlington should be reassessed as part of the Green Belt and settlement hierarchy reviews to support sustainable future growth.

Comment

Representation ID: 7018

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Belport Limited

Agent: CBRE

Belport supports preparation of a Spatial Development Strategy that positively addresses housing, employment, infrastructure and environmental needs across Cheshire East and the wider sub-region. The respondent considers that a successful strategy should identify opportunities capable of delivering comprehensive growth, including homes, jobs, supporting infrastructure and environmental improvements. They argue that a variety of delivery mechanisms will be required, including urban regeneration, brownfield redevelopment, urban extensions and sustainable growth adjoining existing settlements. Belport also supports strategic planning at both local and sub-regional levels and welcomes Cheshire East Council’s ongoing collaboration with the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority in preparing the emerging Spatial Development Strategy.

Comment

Representation ID: 7020

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Belport Limited

Agent: CBRE

Belport supports a clear, ambitious and growth-focused vision for the new Local Plan that responds positively to increased housing needs, economic priorities, climate objectives and infrastructure requirements. They argue that housing delivery, economic growth, environmental enhancement and community wellbeing should be pursued together through comprehensive planning rather than treated as competing objectives. The respondent considers the Plan should promote long-term stewardship, resilience and infrastructure provision alongside development. They also suggest that monitoring should include wider measures of success such as affordability, environmental improvement and accessibility. Belport highlights the Adlington Estate as a deliverable opportunity capable of supporting housing, employment, infrastructure and environmental objectives in a coordinated manner.

Comment

Representation ID: 7021

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Belport Limited

Agent: CBRE

Belport supports the Council’s recognition that the new Local Plan must provide for housing, employment, infrastructure and other development needs required to support sustainable growth. The respondent highlights the significantly increased housing requirement, changing national policy context and evolving economic priorities, arguing that these factors require a comprehensive reassessment of growth across the Borough. Belport supports preparation of a robust evidence base but considers it should identify opportunities as well as constraints. They advocate a positive and flexible growth strategy that seeks to meet development needs in full through sustainable locations. The Local Plan should provide a clear framework for growth, infrastructure delivery and long-term certainty for communities and developers.