Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 6655

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Harworth Group PLC

The proposed local plan period until March 2045 is considered an appropriate plan period. With the plan being expected to be adopted in March 2029, a 16 year plan period would help support the delivery of longer-term strategic development. It is recognised that the local plan will be reviewed every 5-years, in accordance with national policy, which would allow suitable flexibility for changing circumstances, whilst still maintaining a 15 year plus long term vision for Cheshire East.

Comment

Representation ID: 6656

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Harworth Group PLC

The scoping consultation requests views on priority matters for inclusion in the vision, aims objectives and measurable outcomes of the new local plan. The need to deliver housing in sustainable locations to meet identified needs should be central to this.

Comment

Representation ID: 6657

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Harworth Group PLC

Harworth supports the Cheshire East’s recognition within this section of the scoping document of the need for the plan to support the delivery of much needed homes. It is positive to hear that the sites submitted through the 2024 and 2026 Call for Sites exercises are being assessed in order to identify potential development sites. It is noted that there will be additional opportunities to submit sites or update existing submissions as the local plan progresses.

Comment

Representation ID: 6658

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Harworth Group PLC

Harworth supports a review of the Strategic Green Gap, noting that it is not defined in national policy and must therefore be supported by appropriate local evidence and policy. Harworth considers some areas within the existing designation do not strongly contribute to maintaining settlement separation and identity. They argue that a comprehensive review is necessary to support an ambitious, pro-growth Local Plan capable of meeting housing, employment and infrastructure needs, particularly around Principal Towns and other sustainable locations. Harworth also recommends that any retained Strategic Green Gap policy should provide sufficient flexibility to allow housing and other development in appropriate circumstances.

Comment

Representation ID: 6659

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Harworth Group PLC

Harworth support Cheshire East’s existing settlement hierarchy which recognises Crewe and Macclesfield to be the two principal towns within the borough.

Comment

Representation ID: 6660

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Harworth Group PLC

Harworth agrees that the Local Plan should establish a strategy for distributing development across the Borough and supports the factors proposed to inform this. They advocate directing growth within and around existing key settlements, which they consider the most sustainable locations because of access to employment, infrastructure and established public transport. Harworth specifically identifies Crewe as an appropriate location for growth because of its role as a Principal Town and strong rail connectivity. They consider concentrating development in well-connected settlements such as Crewe would help encourage sustainable travel and provide an appropriate basis for accommodating future growth.

Comment

Representation ID: 6661

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Harworth Group PLC

Ensuring the provision of sufficient, high-quality housing is a key function of the local plan, and Harworth agrees with the Council’s recognition that the standard method for calculating local housing need should be used to establish the minimum number of homes that should be planned for over the plan period.

Harworth supports the Council’s recognition of the need to deliver affordable homes. Harworth also encourages sufficient flexibility to be built into such policies in order to ensure viability is not compromised.

Harworth supports the Council’s recognition of the need to provide a mix of housing that reflects current and future needs. Again, sufficient flexibility should be included within such policies to allow for changing needs over the plan period.

Comment

Representation ID: 6662

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Harworth Group PLC

Harworth agrees with Cheshire East’s scoping document in its recognition of the need to promote sustainable travel patterns, making effective use of existing transport infrastructure and planning for new infrastructure where necessary. Harworth is supportive of a sustainable approach to development which prioritises growth around existing key settlements in order to utilise existing transport infrastructure and promote sustainable transport. Harworth recognises the need for new developments to proportionately contribute towards new infrastructure where necessary.

Comment

Representation ID: 6663

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Harworth Group PLC

Harworth agrees with the need to create well-designed sustainable places and recognises that there is already national policy guidance relating to design, including the National Design Guide and the recently published August 2026 National Planning Policy Framework’s Policies DP1-DP4 which relate directly to design. Given the national policy coverage of the topic, Harworth would encourage the local plan to avoid being overly prescriptive in its design policies or leading to delays in determination of planning applications due to onerous subjective comments relating to design matters.

Comment

Representation ID: 6664

Received: 01/09/2026

Respondent: Harworth Group PLC

Harworth agrees with the scope of the proposed evidence base set out within the scoping document and should input from developers be required in the preparation of any of these, we would be happy to assist. In particular, the Housing Needs Assessment, Spatial Distribution of Development Report, and Strategic Green Gap Review are of interest to Harworth and it would be beneficial if evidence base documents were made publicly available as soon as practicable.