Cheshire East Council is planning ahead for the arrival of HS2 and considering how an enhanced service and future development may affect the local environment.
As part of the preparations, a planning framework, called an area action plan, is being developed for land around the station. The plan will set out the type of development the community wants to see, and in time, will help the council to manage the growth in the area.
Paul Bayley, director of environment and neighbourhood services at Cheshire East Council, said: “Part of our ambition with this area action plan is to really improve the look and feel of land around the railway station. However, we must recognise that exciting prospects of regeneration and development brings a need to consider local environmental sensitivities.
“We will be writing to all land owners in the vicinity of the station to ask for permission to conduct environmental surveys over the coming days. This is because we need to check for any species or habitats that may need to be protected or re-homed in the area if development was permitted.
“We want to make the most out of the opportunity that HS2 can bring to our area, but we must also protect what makes it special, and these environmental surveys can help us to do that.
“We are in the early stages of this planning framework and I would urge all to get involved in the upcoming conversations so it is a clear reflection of our community.”
There will be a number of consultation events and opportunities to get involved in the area action plan’s development over the coming months. More information can be found on the council’s website at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk by searching for ‘area action plan’.
The final version of the plan is expected to be published by the end of the year.
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