Consultation launched on Revised Interim Planning Policy on the Release of Housing Land

 

Cheshire East Council has launched a consultation on a revised policy that allows the authority to exercise more control over potential new housing developments.

The document provides an interim planning policy to release land for housing development in order to maintain a sufficient supply of such land over the next five years, in accordance with central Government requirements.

The proposed Revised Interim Planning Policy on the Release of Housing Land continues to seek to focus new development on suitable greenfield sites around Crewe, where there is a good range of jobs, shops and services and reasonable alternatives to travel other than by car.

However, the revision to the policy now also looks to allow for the release of small sustainable sites on the edge of other towns in the Borough, where it will not prejudice the identification of larger strategic development sites, which should be taken forward through the Local Plan process.

The policy will continue to encourage the redevelopment of previously developed land in other towns in Cheshire East for mixed uses, including housing.

Councillor David Brown, Cabinet member with responsibility for performance and capacity, said: “The provision of suitable housing for its residents is one of the Council’s top priorities and this document will help us achieve our objectives.

“We need new homes to assist the economic growth of Cheshire East. As we know, the economic downturn has had a significant impact on levels of new house building and we need to provide more new homes to aid the wider economic recovery.

“This is all part of our key objective to grow and develop a sustainable Cheshire East.”

The draft Revised Interim Planning Policy on the Release of Housing Land was approved for consultation by the Council’s Cabinet on April 2, 2012.

The public consultation period for this document began on May 1 and will run until May 29.

Copies of the consultation document will be available online on the Council’s website at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/localplan  and at the Council Offices at Westfields, Sandbach.

Comments can be submitted online at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/localplan

Alternatively, write to: Spatial Planning Team, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach CW11 1HZ or email: ldfconsultation@cheshireeast.gov.uk