Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 6647

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Innova Renewables NG Holdings Limited

Agent: JLL

Innova promotes approximately 60 hectares of land south of Lymm Road, Little Bollington, for a strategic campus-style data centre development. The site includes agricultural and previously developed land and benefits from M56 access, secured grid capacity, fibre connectivity and predominantly low flood risk. Innova argues that national policy strongly supports data centres as Critical National Infrastructure and requires their specific locational needs to be recognised. They consider the site has potential to qualify as Grey Belt and highlight the limited availability of suitable data centre locations. The proposal could support digital infrastructure, AI-related growth, investment and employment within Cheshire East and the wider region.

Comment

Representation ID: 6648

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Innova Renewables NG Holdings Limited

Agent: JLL

Innova considers the Local Plan vision should explicitly recognise the strategic economic importance of data centres as Critical National Infrastructure and Cheshire East’s potential role in supporting AI growth, digital infrastructure and economic competitiveness. The vision should recognise the Borough’s strategic location and connectivity to Greater Manchester and the Manchester AI Growth Zone as an opportunity to attract high-value investment. Innova recommends a specific objective supporting strategic employment sites for data centres and other modern economy uses. Measurable outcomes should include delivery of data centre and technology sites, investment in digital infrastructure and creation of high-quality jobs in knowledge-intensive sectors.

Comment

Representation ID: 6649

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Innova Renewables NG Holdings Limited

Agent: JLL

Innova considers the Local Plan should recognise data centres as an important component of the modern economy and allocate strategic employment sites to meet identified demand. The Economic Development Needs Assessment and Employment Land Review should specifically assess data centre requirements, including power, fibre connectivity, accessibility and skilled labour. Innova promotes land south of Lymm Road as a strategic data centre site, arguing that it meets these specialist locational requirements and could support national AI and digital infrastructure priorities. The proposed allocation would enable a campus-style development accommodating multiple data centre operators, providing opportunities for clustering, shared infrastructure, operational resilience and economic investment.

Comment

Representation ID: 6650

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Innova Renewables NG Holdings Limited

Agent: JLL

Innova considers land south of Lymm Road should be classified as Grey Belt, arguing that it does not strongly contribute to relevant Green Belt purposes concerning urban sprawl, settlement merging or historic towns. The site includes previously developed land and existing rural buildings, and Innova highlights the approval of an adjacent motorway service area where the Secretary of State concluded the land was Grey Belt. Innova argues that where Grey Belt land can accommodate data centres as Critical National Infrastructure and meet strategic employment needs, Green Belt release can be justified, particularly where alternative sites cannot meet the sector’s specific locational requirements.

Comment

Representation ID: 6651

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Innova Renewables NG Holdings Limited

Agent: JLL

Innova considers the spatial strategy should recognise the specific locational requirements of data centres, including substantial grid capacity, fibre connectivity, strategic road access, access to skilled labour and suitable land without overriding environmental constraints. They argue these requirements significantly restrict the availability of appropriate sites. Innova promotes land south of Lymm Road as a strategic location for data centre and employment development because of its secured grid connection, fibre connectivity and proximity to Junction 7 of the M56. They consider the site’s connections to Greater Manchester and the wider motorway network provide significant advantages for accommodating modern economy and digital infrastructure uses.

Comment

Representation ID: 6652

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Innova Renewables NG Holdings Limited

Agent: JLL

Innova considers the Infrastructure Delivery Plan should recognise power and telecommunications infrastructure as critical to supporting data centres and other modern economy uses. The assessment should identify locations across the Borough where sufficient grid capacity and fibre connectivity are available or can be delivered. Innova highlights land south of Lymm Road as benefiting from secured grid capacity and fibre connectivity and argues these advantages should support its allocation for strategic employment development. They also emphasise the site’s strong transport connections through Junction 7 of the M56 and the A556/A56, providing direct access to the strategic road network.

Comment

Representation ID: 6653

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Innova Renewables NG Holdings Limited

Agent: JLL

Innova recommends that the Economic Development Needs Assessment and Employment Land Review specifically examine demand for data centres, reflecting their Critical National Infrastructure status, economic benefits, specialist locational requirements and potential relationship with the Manchester AI Growth Zone. They consider conventional employment land assessments may not adequately capture demand for specialised uses requiring significant infrastructure. The Viability Assessment should also recognise the distinct characteristics of data centres, including substantial upfront investment in power and other infrastructure. Innova argues that these costs should be considered alongside the potentially significant business rates revenue, investment and wider economic benefits generated by data centre development.

Comment

Representation ID: 6654

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Innova Renewables NG Holdings Limited

Agent: JLL

Innova requests allocation of approximately 60 hectares south of Lymm Road for a strategic campus-style data centre development. They argue the site meets specialist requirements including grid capacity, fibre connectivity, motorway access and access to skilled labour, and could qualify as Grey Belt. Innova estimates significant economic benefits, including around 350 jobs and £240 million annual direct GVA. They recommend recognising data centres as Critical National Infrastructure, assessing their specific needs through the evidence base and infrastructure planning, and allocating the site for strategic employment development. Innova considers early allocation would provide investment certainty and support national AI and digital infrastructure priorities.