Local Plan

In January 2024, the Council decided to prepare a new style Local Plan under the provisions of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.

However, since the new government was elected last year, the implementation of the new plan-making system has been delayed, and the deadline for submitting plans under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004) has been extended to December 2026.

As a result, Council Cabinet decided on 15 January 2025 to begin preparation of an update to the Local Plan under the current plan-making system, with the option to switch to the new plan-making system should it prove necessary and expedient to do so.

Subsequently on 11 June 2025, Cabinet decided to consult on the Regulation 18 Issues and Options Local Plan in summer 2025.

The update to the Local Plan will create a single local plan document that updates and replaces all policies in the Local Plan (Part One) and Local Plan (Part Two). The Local Development Scheme was published in May 2025, and the timetable is set out below:

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Scheme under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act

Overview

Supplementary Planning documents

Monitoring reports

Every year we produce monitoring reports which monitor the Council's housing land supply; the Local Plan documents and policies and minerals and waste technical information.

Documents and comments

You can read, download and make comments on consultation documents through our online consultation portal:

• Email: planningpolicy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk