Local Plan

The new plan will create a single local plan document that updates and replaces all policies in the current Local Plan (Part One) and Local Plan (Part Two). We are consulting on the Issues and Options for eight weeks from 4 July to 29 August 2025.

Summary

The Local Plan sets out where development will take place in Cheshire West and Chester. It will indicate where we want a variety of development including housing, employment land, shops and industrial land. The vision emphasises climate change mitigation, wellbeing, infrastructure provision, and character protection. Objectives include economic growth, housing provision, environmental protection, and sustainable transport.

Three Spatial Options

We are proposing three different strategic options for where housing will be across the borough. The three options offer different levels of housing in different areas depending on the approach we take, these are:

• Option A: Retain Green Belt. Cheshire West and Chester has a protected area in the north of the borough where development is restricted.

• Option B: Follow current Local Plan distribution by applying the same proportion of housing in the same areas as delivered under the last Local Plan.

• Option C: Focus on sustainable transport corridors. Building houses where there are good existing transport links.

The three spatial options can be viewed in more detail here: Spatial Options

Growth Areas

Growth areas are locations where it may be possible to identify sites to be allocated in The Local Plan for various uses, including housing, infrastructure and regeneration. Our growth areas are Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich, Winsford, Frodsham, Neston and Parkgate, and the key service centres. Each settlement has unique development priorities including regeneration, infrastructure, and environmental protection.

The growth areas can be viewed in more detail here: Growth Areas

These maps show different possible options and locations for development, and not all areas will be chosen to be allocated in the Local Plan.

Policy Development

This section will cover the policies that we are retaining from the current Local Plan and looking to develop under the Local Plan 2025. The are intended to ensure development is in the right place for people who need it whilst taking account of various environmental factors.

The policies can be viewed in more detail here: Policy Development