Local Plan Consultation Begins in Crewe

 

The Local Plan consultation kicks off this Friday – and it’ll probably be one of the biggest investments Crewe residents can make in their area over the next 20 years.

The Local Plan will set out where future housing, jobs, roads, schools, leisure facilities, parks and green spaces to name but a few will be developed - and residents are being urged to take part.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “Many people in the borough have seen controversial site allocation outlines.

“Instead of opposing things, I want to hear people say what they support, what they want to see happen in their communities.

“I want their views so that we can get it right and in order for that to happen, I genuinely need a robust consultation. The more people who participate, the better our Local Plan will be.”

Council David Brown, Deputy Leader and strategic communities’ portfolio holder, urged: “It will determine your future, that of your children and even your grandchildren’s.

“Please don’t miss this opportunity to take part in one of the most important blueprints of the future. Otherwise, decisions will be made based only on the replies we receive back and our aim here at Cheshire East is to reflect the views of as many people as possible.”

Crewe residents have already taken part in a Place Shaping Consultation which has now helped to shape the draft Crewe Town Strategy Consultation, which residents will be commenting on over the next four weeks. This will then feed into the final Cheshire East Local Plan which lasts until 2030.

During 2011, Cheshire East Council asked Crewe residents, workers, visitors and shoppers what they liked about the place.

Doctors, health centres and libraries, along with colleges and adult education were all features that people really liked. But there were issues too, with complaints about a lack of job prospects, the town centre and the traffic levels in the town.

So how should Crewe look by 2030? This is the big question the Local Plan Consultation will eventually answer so that residents are happy that any growth represents the area’s needs accurately.

Crewe is the largest town in south Cheshire and a major economic hub. It has a strong business base with real potential to improve its performance with regional significance.

• To have your say on the local plan log on to: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/localplan or to find out more please visit Facebook or Twitter via our website.
• Consultation documents are also available at libraries in the six consultation towns which are: Crewe, Nantwich, Macclesfield, Knutsford, Poynton and Handforth.

• The consultation runs from August 31 until October 1 2012.