Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 6163

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Carlos Munez

I object to the inclusion of Land West of Cooksmere Lane, Elworth as a potential housing
allocation within the emerging Cheshire East Local Plan. The site comprises greenfield land
within the rural setting of Elworth and should be assessed against infrastructure capacity,
landscape character, agricultural land quality and sustainability. Development would result
in the loss of open countryside and Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land.
Cheshire East previously refused housing development on nearby land under application
17/3611C because the loss of BMV agricultural land and open countryside outweighed the
benefits of development. These considerations remain relevant and should inform the
assessment of this site.

Comment

Representation ID: 6164

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Carlos Munez

Whilst increased housing provision is required, housing targets should not automatically
result in the release of greenfield sites. The Local Plan should prioritise brownfield land,
protect Grade 1-3 BMV agricultural land, ensure infrastructure is delivered alongside
growth and safeguard settlement identity. Any consideration of countryside or Green Belt
release should follow a robust assessment of brownfield capacity, infrastructure constraints
and environmental impacts. Growth should be genuinely sustainable and not achieved
through the unnecessary loss of productive agricultural land.

Comment

Representation ID: 6165

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Carlos Munez

The baseline evidence confirms the importance of agriculture, countryside and rural
communities to Cheshire East. Approximately 70% of the borough is agricultural land and
these characteristics should be reflected in the spatial strategy. The Local Plan should
protect productive farmland, maintain the distinction between settlements and countryside,
and avoid large-scale greenfield expansion that would harm the character of settlements
such as Elworth and Sandbach. Future allocations should be assessed against their impact
on settlement identity, landscape character and environmental quality.

Comment

Representation ID: 6166

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Carlos Munez

I object to the allocation of Land West of Cooksmere Lane, Elworth as a residential
development site within the emerging Cheshire East Local Plan.
The site was submitted through the Call for Sites process; however, inclusion does not
demonstrate suitability, availability or deliverability. The site should be subject to a
comprehensive assessment against environmental, infrastructure and sustainability criteria
before any further progression.
The site lies within Grade 1-3 Agricultural Land Classification and therefore comprises Best
and Most Versatile agricultural land. Its development would result in the permanent loss of
a finite agricultural resource. Cheshire East previously refused application 17/3611C on
nearby land where the loss of BMV agricultural land and open countryside was found to
outweigh the benefits of development.
The site comprises a substantial area of undeveloped greenfield land forming part of the
rural setting of Elworth and Sandbach. Development would extend the built form beyond
the existing settlement boundary, resulting in urbanisation of open countryside and harm to
landscape character.
Consideration should also be given to any Strategic Green Gap function and any Green Belt
relationship associated with the site. If the land contributes to settlement separation,
particular weight should be given to preserving openness and preventing coalescence
between communities.
Flood risk constraints should be fully assessed, including Flood Zone classification, surface
water flood risk, drainage impacts and sustainable drainage requirements. Development
should not proceed where flood risk cannot be satisfactorily managed.
The Council should assess biodiversity impacts, ecological connectivity, protected species,
hedgerows, mature trees and wider green infrastructure. Any significant ecological harm
should weigh heavily against allocation.
Highway capacity must be assessed in detail, including Cooksmere Lane, Marsh Green Road,
Middlewich Road and surrounding junctions. The Council should demonstrate that
development would not create unacceptable traffic impacts and that sustainable transport
options are available, in particular construction access, phasing and logistics.
School capacity and healthcare provision should also form part of the assessment.
Additional growth should not be allocated unless education and healthcare infrastructure
can accommodate demand or improvements are identified and deliverable.
The Council should apply a brownfield-first approach and demonstrate that previously
developed land opportunities have been exhausted before releasing productive agricultural
land and open countryside.
Land West of Cooksmere Lane should be excluded from future allocation options because it
would result in the loss of BMV agricultural land, harm the rural setting of Elworth,
contribute to urban sprawl, place additional pressure on infrastructure and represent
unsustainable greenfield expansion. Brownfield opportunities should be prioritised ahead
of this site.

Comment

Representation ID: 6167

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Carlos Munez

I support the Council's commitment to a digital-first but not digital-only engagement
process, together with publication of consultation summaries and feedback reports.
Communities most affected by potential allocations should receive targeted local
engagement before key planning decisions are made. Community assemblies, stakeholder
workshops and digital engagement should be supplemented by local events in areas directly
affected by proposed growth so that residents can fully understand the evidence base and
implications of site allocation decisions.