In July 2008 it was announced by the government that West
Cheshire would be one of the 20 new Growth Points in England and
one of six in the North West. Growth Points are part of the
Government's initiative to provide three million more new homes by
2020. West Cheshire contains a diverse mix of potential
housing sites across the four principal urban areas of Chester,
Ellesmere Port, Winsford and Northwich. The approval of the
Growth Point for West Cheshire comes with an expectation of
delivering a much higher level of housing growth than has been
achieved in the past and the development of a high proportion of
brownfield sites in sustainable locations and high levels of
affordable housing.
In 2008, a Programme of Development was drawn up by a team of
officers from the four former authorities and approved by the
Shadow Authority. This was a bidding document for funding to
help deliver the Growth Point and was submitted to the government
in October 2008.
The Programme of Delivery sets out proposals for the period
2007/8 to 2017/17 with a particular emphasis on the first three
years of delivery.
Our Vision
"Our vision is to deliver sustainable housing growth enabling
the full economic potential of the sub region to be realised.
We will ensure growth delivers a balanced housing offer meeting the
diverse needs of West Cheshire communities. The nature,
location and level of housing growth will positively contribute
towards the regeneration of our communities."
Our Proposals
- Accelerate the provision of homes within the borough;
- Ensure that 30-40% of these homes are delivered as affordable
housing;
- Bring back into use derelict and neglected sites in sustainable
locations;
- Create a network of open spaces across West Cheshire to bring
social, economic and environmental benefits to local people and
communities and to deliver high quality open spaces, strategic
environmental enhancements and contribute to high quality
development (known as ‘green infrastructure’);
- Deliver high quality development, which complements local
character and which is sustainably constructed and energy
efficient;
- Improve transport links, particularly sustainable transport,
between areas of housing and employment growth;
- Deliver major environmental improvements across the sub-region
in a coordinated way.
For further information, view or download the Programme of
Development (PDF, 2.36 MB)
Planning Status
Growth Point is not a statutory designation and Growth Point
proposals will have to be confirmed through the statutory planning
process and included in the Local Development Framework, with the
public consultation, testing, Sustainability Appraisal, Appropriate
Assessment (under the Habitats Directive) and examination in public
that these processes entail.
See the Local Development Framework webpages for
more information.
Progress
A Growth Point team has been established within the Strategic
Housing & Spatial Planning service to take the programme
forward and consideration is now being given to the governance
arrangements.
Early priorities for the Growth Point will include delivery
of:
- Integrated Transport Strategy
- Green Infrastructure Strategy
- Water Cycle Strategy
- Infrastructure Plan
- Programme of Development update
Cheshire West and Chester will continue to work with all
relevant bodies to deliver its Growth Point objectives.
For further information on the West Cheshire Growth Point,
contact the Growth Point team on: 01244 973883 or email growth.point@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk