Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report which sought agreement to the publication of the Draft Crewe Town Strategy for public consultation, and to the use of the final document as part of the evidence base for the Cheshire Local Plan.

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Communities reported that, since its publication, the wording of the decision requested had been amended to insert ‘subject to the inclusion of a glossary, and the inclusion of Wistaston in any reference in the document to the Green Gap’.  He gave a resume of the wide range of documents to be produced and included in the Cheshire East Local Plan, of the overall time scale for its production, and the importance placed by the Authority on public consultation on each of the component documents. Thorough analysis of the feedback would help to ensure the production of a sound and robust Local Plan.  Public consultation had been deliberately delayed for two weeks in order to ensure that the holiday season was largely over and was now due to commence at the end of August.

The Draft Strategy had been prepared by local stakeholders including the Crewe Local Members Panel, representatives for the All Change for Crewe Project Board, Groups and local Parish Councils.  The Draft Strategy now needed to be formally agreed by the Portfolio Holder in the absence of a Crewe Town Council.

In all a total of 11 Town Strategies had or were being prepared; ultimately all of them would form part of the evidence base for the Cheshire East Local Plan and help to inform policy writing and the identification of strategic sites for inclusion on the Site Allocations document.

Particular questions were raised by visiting members concerning the extent of some of the development sites identified, of the location of Green Gaps, and the difference in protection this offered to a Buffer Zone.  It was stressed that at this time all sites were indicative only, that not all of them would be included in the final version, and that the feedback by local ward members and the public was vital at this stage.  In addition there would be further public consultation at the final stage when the Draft Cheshire East Local Plan was published for consultation. 

RESOLVED

That, subject to the inclusion of a glossary, and the inclusion of Wistaston in any reference in the document to the Green Gap’, the Draft Crewe Town Strategy be approved for consultation and, when finalised, ultimately form part of the evidence base for the Cheshire East Local Plan.