Statement of Community Involvement Crewe Green Link Road South (CGLRS) – Unlocking Economic Growth May & June 2011 - October 2012 Compiled by Jeanette Bate, Communications Officer – Economic Development, Cheshire East Council, Tel:- 01270 375109 1 REPORT CONTENTS Page 3 Forward Page 4 Introduction Page 4 All Change for Crewe Project Page 6 Crewe Green Link Road South – Unlocking Economic Growth Page 8 Pre-Planning Consultation – Crewe Green Link Road South & Results Page 14 Feedback & Comments Page 17 Parish Council Response – Weston Page 18 South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry Response Page 19 Other Responses Page 19 Postcode Areas & Level of Support Page 19 Relevant Feedback from other Consultations Page 22 Conclusion Page 23 Appendix A – Full Comments and Relevant Codes Page 47 Appendix A – Email Responses Page 55 Addendum to Statement of Community Consultation – October 2012 2 FORWARD Planning permission (ref: 11/1982N) for Crewe Green Link Road South (CGLRS) was approved on 12th October 2011 and was subject to a number of planning conditions. Subsequently it was identified that certain additional elements for the scheme needed to be included and that the inclusion of these and some elements covered by the previous planning conditions would best be resolved in an updated planning application for the whole scheme. The alignment and scale of the road are substantially the same; the additional elements will include (but not limited to): an alternative railway underbridge option; new cycle / pedestrian access from A500 / Mill Lane; flood compensation area; ecological habitat mitigation area; soil storage areas; and site compounds. The pre-application consultation exercise undertaken as part of the previous application, and covered by this main body of this document, was still considered valid. It was therefore concluded that it would be appropriate to undertake only a limited consultation / public information exercise as part of this revised application. The details of this exercise are included as an Addendum at the end of this document. 3 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose and scope of this report Good consultation lies at the heart of what Cheshire East Council does in being able to deliver the high quality services that people want and expect. Effective community consultation enables the council to better understand its clients and customers, encourages the more efficient use of public resources and enables evidence-based decision making. Over time, consultation helps to measure the performance of the council in delivering quality public services and helping to improve the quality of life for our residents. This report summarises the pre-application consultation that has taken place prior to the submission of a planning application for Cheshire East Council's Crewe Green Link Road Scheme (CGLRS). This report sets out how the local community, businesses, elected representatives and staff were consulted about the scheme and highlights the feedback that was given. The main focus of the consultation programme was an online questionnaire hosted on Cheshire East Council's website – www.cheshireeast.gov.uk; three drop in events; letters distributed to approximately 600 households and businesses in the area and email briefing to elected members. It also includes a range of relevant consultation responses from relevant projects including the Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3) and ‘All Change for Crewe' (ACFC) consultations. This Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) does not cover the specialist consultation which will be undertaken as part of the usual publication and notification processes. This SCI has been prepared by the Communications Officer – Economic Development at Cheshire East Council. 2 'ALL CHANGE FOR CREWE' PROJECT 2.1 Introduction ‘All Change for Crewe’ sets out ambitious plans for growth with the aim for Crewe to become a nationally significant economic centre by 2030 with a total population in excess of 100,000, a large highly skilled working age population, and with employment indicators that meet or exceed national levels. 4 The Crewe Green Link Road South (CGLRS) scheme is one of several priority projects to be delivered through ‘All Change for Crewe’ and is a crucial component in these transformational plans for future economic and housing growth. CGLRS will unlock the strategic potential of two major employment sites at Basford and it will facilitate delivery of additional GVA in the region of £250 million per annum, through the creation of up to 12,500 jobs in high value employment over the next 20 years. 2.2 The ‘All Change for Crewe’ Strategy 'All Change for Crewe’ is the route map for charting the town’s development over the next two decades. The strategy intends that by 2030 Crewe will be:- • A nationally significant economic centre with a total population in excess of 100,000 people (currently it has about 83,000). • One of the leading centres for advanced engineering and manufacturing centres in England. • Recognised as a sought after place in the South Cheshire Belt for people to live, work, put down roots, and develop their talents. ‘All Change for Crewe’ has five components, as set out below:- 5 These, and their component focus areas, are expanded in the table below:- Strategy Key focus areas element Crewe’s Improve attainment levels in low-performing schools, and increase levels of skills/qualifications knowledge Align Further/Higher Education provision with the needs of knowledge-based and growth-orientated economy sectors in the local economy people and Support existing major employers in developing their in-house skills, and more generally help to businesses nurture new and innovative businesses. Crewe’s Develop the railway station as a high-quality and high-performing gateway into, and out of, the town. connectivity Introduce measures to reduce congestion on the strategic road network, to enable internal and linkages movement Establish stronger linkages to neighbouring city-regions and the economic opportunities they offer Ensure Crewe has a competitive Next Generation Broadband infrastructure. Crewe’s Develop a high-quality offer in the town centre, and ensure that local businesses’ needs for physical accommodation are met development Realise the successful development of the Strategic Regional Site at Basford opportunities Enable the co-ordinated release of development land for housing, to assist the town’s population growth. Crewe’s Tackle the physical challenges in the deprived areas abutting the town centre, and ensure more liveability, generally all communities are served by quality public transport links local Improve the opportunities for Crewe’s children and young people through a specific focus on transport and improving schools aspiration Address the challenge of Young People not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). Crewe’s Ensure inspirational and ambitious civic leadership across the public, private and image, voluntary/community sectors. perception Devote greater attention and energy to acquiring, developing and retaining premium leadership as a and priority for the area. leadership Develop a dedicated and energised marketing/inward investment campaign to transform out-dated perceptions of Crewe and its capabilities. 3 CREWE GREEN LINK ROAD SOUTH (CGLRS) – UNLOCKING ECONOMIC GROWTH 3.1 Introduction Crewe Green Link Road South (CGLRS) is a crucial component in transformational regeneration plans for Crewe, delivering additional GVA in the region of £250 million per annum through the creation of up to 12,500 jobs in high value employment over the next 20 years. Crewe Green Link Road South will unlock the strategic potential of two major employment sites at Basford, which are the key to realising these aspirational plans. This high quality boulevard will provide direct access to transformational employment generating opportunities through the creation of a high quality science- oriented business and innovation park, and stimulate significant levels of investment and economic growth for Crewe and the wider sub region. Crewe Green Link Road South is the catalyst that will facilitate significant economic benefits, and it will do this through early public investment of around £20 million. 6 As well as representing excellent value for money, the scheme is ready for delivery now. Driven by a strong private sector-led partnership, and supported by a wide range of public and private sector partners, the scheme's resulting transformational economic benefits cannot be lost and the vision or a growth location that is an inspirational gateway to the North must be realised. Cheshire East Council recognises that congestion is a major issue in Crewe due to the historic railway lanes. This makes travelling through Crewe a difficult and time consuming process. 3.2 Why is the Scheme Needed? The first phase of the Crewe Green Link Road (CGLR) was completed in 2004 and has played an important role in facilitating employment growth. The Crewe Green Link Road South will provide direct links to Basford East, as well as improving journey times to the town centre and improvement access to other development sites in the south east of Crewe. It will also have major environmental benefits for the local community, improving air quality and reducing exposure to traffic noise. The delivery of Crewe Green Link Road South will unlock the strategic potential of Basford and facilitate the delivery of Crewe’s vision for economic growth by 2030, which will see Basford East firmly established as one of the