Council sets out intentions for future consultations and engagement on Local Plan

 

Cheshire East Council has set out its intentions for future consultation and engagement on its Local Plan.

It came on the first day of the resumed hearings of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy examination (Tuesday, October 6).

If, as expected, all goes according to schedule with the hearings held during October, the Council intends to hold a period of full public consultation over the winter. This

consultation will address:

● New and amended strategic sites;

● Suggested revisions to Local Plan (chapters 1-14, 16 and 17, plus appendices).

The timing of any consultation will be subject to satisfactory progress with the examination process this autumn. Further interim views are expected from the Inspector during the second half of November, which will then guide subsequent stages.

It is anticipated that the outcome of any consultation over the winter will be available to inform a further set of resumed hearings in the spring (2016). This will deal with any further issues on strategic growth and development, plus a number of sessions on individual sites.

Assuming progress continues to be made, a further period of consultation will also follow the publication of proposed modifications later in 2016.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, Cabinet member in charge of the Local Plan, said: “This Council is committed to ensure that development is appropriate, planned and sustainable. Moreover, we understand the need to thoroughly engage with communities and stakeholders.

“The hearings held during October will consider if the evidence prepared by the Council properly addresses the Inspector’s concerns.

“It’s only if it does that will it be appropriate to put forward the material for consultation. Once we have that indication from the Inspector, we will welcome everyone’s views on the evidence and revisions that flow from it.

“We will also be seeking views on a selection of new sites to help meet the increase in homes and jobs across the Borough. It is important to state that there is not a preferred list for development at the present time – but rather an indication of the sites currently under consideration. ”