Agenda item

To consider the development of, and consultation on, a Macclesfield Movement Strategy.

Cabinet considered the development of, and consultation on, a Macclesfield Movement Strategy.

The report addressed how the Local Plan development proposals had informed the Infrastructure Plan and the impact on the local highway network. It proposed a major multimillion pound investment to address key highway pinch points and improve transport networks to deliver a ‘Movement Strategy’ for Macclesfield.

The report suggested a mechanism to ensure that new developments fairly contributed towards delivering the future highway improvements contained in the Movement Strategy.

This approach was also being developed in the Council’s other key growth areas, including Congleton and Crewe, to ensure that key investment in critical new highway improvements was secured from new development ahead of adoption of the Local Plan and associated Community Infrastructure Levy.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    approves the development of and consultation on a Macclesfield Movement Strategy, which will include prioritisation of highway improvement schemes, complemented by a package of sustainable travel improvements;

2.    approves the establishment of a Local Member Forum to review the development and delivery of the Macclesfield Movement Strategy;

3.    approves that the following locations be prioritised for the delivery of highway improvements immediately and that work commence on detailed scheme development and consultation:

¨       A536 Congleton Road / Park Lane junction – ‘The Flowerpot’

¨       A536 Congleton Road / Moss Lane junction signalisation

¨       A523 Silk Road minor lining improvements

¨       A523 Mill Lane lining and widening improvements

4.     notes that longer term, highway improvement schemes, as a minimum, will be required at the following key locations to accommodate the anticipated Local Plan development, the delivery of these improvements to be prioritised based on the pace and location of future development:

5.     authorises the appointment of Counsel to provide an opinion on the most appropriate way to secure the funding from developers towards the costs of these works and also to suggest a method for dealing with s106 obligations where the Council is the landowner;

6.     subject to the Counsel’s opinion and progress with the Local Plan, authorises the Director of Economic Growth and Prosperity to approve the preparation of a Development Brief / Supplementary Planning Document for Local Highway Infrastructure to support the economic growth of Macclesfield, Congleton and Crewe to ensure that new developments fairy contribute towards new and improved infrastructure prior to the adoption of a Community Infrastructure Levy;

7.     delegates authority to the Head of Strategic Infrastructure in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Jobs to take forward and deliver the initially prioritised schemes, subject to the Council’s arrangements for the endorsement of the business case;

8.     notes the likely requirement for third party land to deliver the full benefit of the improvements to the Flowerpot junction and that approval is granted to enter into discussions with affected landowners  and that the Chief Executive or his identified nominee, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Prosperity & Economic Regeneration, and subject to taking advice from the Head of Legal Services and the Chief Operating Officer or their identified nominee(s), be given delegated authority to acquire options or interests in  land required to facilitate the works;

9.     approves that any Council-owned land that is necessary for the delivery of the highway improvements identified in (3) above is made available and transferred for highway purposes; and

10.  delegates authority to the Director of Economic Growth and Prosperity in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Jobs to submit a planning application (if required) for the schemes identified in (3) above.