Local Plan: Inspector's recommendation for pre-consultation on sites dismissed

Despite the Inspector's recommendation, Cheshire East Council has decided not to publish the final list of site allocations for the Local Plan prior to formal consultation.

Inspector Stephen Pratt sent Cheshire East Council his further interim views on the additional evidence produced by the Council during the suspension of the examination on 11th December 2015.

Included in this document was the suggestion that "CEC may wish to consider publicising the final list of selected site allocations before public consultation, so that stakeholders and local communities can provide up-to-date information on availability and deliverability and ensure that all other potential sites have been assessed; this may help to reduce the time spent at any further hearing sessions considering the delivery of these and other "omission" sites."

However, Cheshire East Council responded to the Inspector on Wednesday, 13th January, stating "Having considered that suggestion very carefully, we do not intend to undertake such a form of pre-consultation."

They provided the following reasons for their decision:

•  The Edge of Settlement Analysis and Urban Potential work provides extensive information as to site options – this has been in the public domain for the past six months;

•  The Council has contacted site promoters through the autumn to ascertain the latest position on site suitability and deliverability;

•  Council officers have met with groupings of Town and Parish Councils during October and November 2015 to discuss the suitability and deliverability of candidate allocations for each of the Principal Towns and Key Service Centres;

•  Council officers have briefed Cheshire East Councillors on an ongoing basis relating to progress on the LPS;

•  Sites have continued to be promoted and brought to the attention of the Council throughout this process;

•  Experience to date suggests that it is the examination hearings that tend to be the focus of debate and many site promoters and objectors will wish to pursue their cases through to any such sessions;

•  Advance consultation will add at least 4 months to the overall programme – it is not clear that this investment of time will be repaid by eventual savings to the examination process;

•  Carrying out two rounds of consultation, one immediately after the other could cause confusion, notwithstanding every effort being made to clearly explain the purpose and scope of each process.

The Council has also submitted an amended provisional timetable for the Local Plan. The next step will be for the Council to finalise and complete the proposed amendments to the Local Plan Strategy, including new and amended strategic site allocations, with all the necessary supporting evidence. This report will then be considered by the Full Council in February, the purpose of which will be obtain their approval of the proposed amendments.

The Council intends to publicise the proposed amendments to the submitted Local Plan Strategy, including new and amended strategic site allocations for public consultation in March/April and will consider and respond to representations made in April/May.

They propose to submit the amendments for examination in June and then prepare for resumption of the Examination hearings to consider amendments to the submitted LPS and sites in September 2016.

Tags:
Cheshire East Council, Local Plan, Local Plan Strategy
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