Agenda item

To consider two adjacent local authorities’ Core Strategy consultation documents, on which the Council has been consulted as a stakeholder.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Warrington Borough Council had published a Core Strategy Revised Submission Document and a Core Strategy Pre-Publication Draft respectively for consultation and had requested comments from Cheshire East Council.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Core Strategy Revised Submission Document

Staffordshire Moorlands shared a boundary with Cheshire East to the south east of the Borough.  They were at an advanced stage of producing their Core Strategy, which would determine broadly where future development would take place in the District to 2026.  The document contained further revisions to the Core Strategy made in light of new evidence of future housing requirements in the District. The results of previous consultation and representations had also been considered and amendments had been made to the broad areas for housing development in Leek, Biddulph and Cheadle. 

Amendments to plan policies had also been made to address gaps likely to arise from the abolition of the North West Regional Spatial Strategy. Representations made at this stage would be considered by an independent inspector at examination. Representations must be made between 12^th December 2011 and 3^rd February 2012.

There had been several cross-boundary influences and issues identified in the document, related to Cheshire East:

·          Cross-boundary development pressures, where common understanding and complementary policy approaches are needed

·          Net in-migration from Congleton and Macclesfield resulting in pressure for housing development in the north of Staffordshire Moorlands

·          North Staffordshire/South Cheshire Green Belt required a consistent policy approach

·          Proposals for Congleton and Macclesfield town centre had a potential impact on Biddulph and Leek town centres

·          There was a need for a complementary approach with regard to the rural economy

Staffordshire Moorlands’ housing requirement was to be reduced from 6,000 to 5,500 during the plan period 2006-2026.

Provision would be made for at least 24ha of additional employment land during the period 2006-2026.

Further details were set out in the report.

It was considered that these policies, broad locations and distributions were unlikely to have any significant adverse effects on Cheshire East.

Warrington Borough Council Core Strategy Pre-Publication Draft Consultation

Warrington Borough Council shared a boundary with Cheshire East to the north west of the Borough. They were at an advanced stage of producing their Core Strategy, which would determine broadly where future development would take place in the District to 2027.  Following this consultation the document would be finalised for formal publication and examination in public, where there would be a further opportunity to comment and shape the document.  Representations must be made between 12^th December 2011 and 20^th January 2012.

Sufficient land for housing, including conversions of existing buildings, would be provided to accommodate an annual average of 500 dwellings (net of clearance) between April 2006 and March 2027.

Provision would be made for up to 277ha of land for business, general industrial and storage/distribution uses (principally Use Classes B1, B2& B8) over the period 2006 to 2027, to support growth of the local and sub-regional economy.

Inner Warrington would continue to be the focus of development and physical change in the Borough.  The wider Waterfront / Arpley Meadows

site presented a sizeable opportunity for future development in a central and sustainable location.

Sites would be allocated through the Site Allocation Development Plan Document for Gypsy, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople. 

Further details were set out in the report.

It was considered that these policies, broad locations and distributions were unlikely to have any significant adverse effects on Cheshire East.

RESOLVED

That the Council supports the overall strategy for growth and distribution of developments detailed in the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Core Strategy Revised Submission Document and Warrington Borough Council Core Strategy Pre-Publication Draft, it being noted that:

1. Staffordshire Moorlands’ housing requirement will be 5,500 and additional employment land of 24 ha will be provided over the plan period of 2006-2026; and

2. Warrington’s housing requirement will be 10,500 and employment land of 277 ha will be provided over the plan period of 2006-2027.