Wistaston Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Statement May 2017
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Wistaston Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Statement May 2017 This consultation statement has been prepared to fulfil the legal obligations of the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012 in respect of the Wistaston Neighbourhood Plan (NP). The legal basis of the Statement is provided by Section 15(2) of Part 5 of the 2012 Neighbourhood Planning Regulations, which requires that a consultation statement should: . Contain details of the persons and bodies who were consulted about the proposed Neighbourhood Plan . Explain how they were consulted . Summarise the main issues and concerns raised by the persons consulted . Describe how those issues and concerns have been considered and where relevant addressed in the proposed Neighbourhood Plan 1. Introduction Wistaston completed their Parish Plan at the end of 2009 and launched it in early 2010. During 2013 Wistaston came under increasing development pressures for major housing developments on what was designated as Green Gap land as per Policy NE4 of the Crewe and Nantwich Replacement Local Plan 2011. Following the submission of an outline plan in spring 2013 for 300 houses on designated Green Gap land, a public meeting was held at the Wistaston Memorial Hall after which it was agreed that an ‘action group’ be formed to represent the views of local residents. A group named ‘Hands off Wistaston’ – (HOW) was created. On the 9th December 2014 a public meeting was held arranged by the HOW Group at the Wistaston Memorial Hall and the Cheshire East Neighbourhood Planning Manager was invited to make a presentation on the benefits of Communities engaging in the Neighbourhood Planning Process. At the December Parish Council meeting, the Council reviewed a report following the ‘HOW’ public meeting on the 9th December and it was resolved that a Steering Group be formed on behalf of the Parish Council to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan. 1 2. Timetable of Consultation Process December 2014 - Parish Council announce their intention to develop a Neighbourhood Plan. January 2015 - Parish Council appeal for volunteers to join Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group February 2015 - Application submitted to Cheshire East to approve the designated Neighbourhood Area May 2015 - Cheshire East Borough Council approves designated Neighbourhood Area as applied for by Wistaston Parish Council. October 2015 - Presentation on Neighbourhood Planning process given to members of the Parish Council and prospective volunteers. November 2015 - First meeting of newly formed Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. December 2015 - Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire distributed to every household in Parish - Questionnaire publicised through ‘Roundabout’ community magazine - Dedicated Neighbourhood Plan website created January 2016 - Completed questionnaires returned Following the questionnaire consultation the following issues were considered important: • Preserving the Green Gap between Wistaston, Nantwich, Crewe and neighbouring parishes • Ensure that Wistaston retains its identity and character • Protecting hedgerows, trees and wildlife habitats • Prevent unplanned and unsustainable development • Any development should meet the needs of the community • Any new developments to ensure adequate parking provision 2 • Improve transport links – buses, footpaths and cycle ways • Preventing the village being regularly used as a ‘rat run’ • Speeding • Reduce congestion especially on bus routes • Making the village cleaner – too much litter and dog fouling The following Aims have been identified by the Steering Group. AIMS • To encourage a thriving and prosperous community that delivers a high quality of life for all its residents • To promote better public services, mobile phone signals and broadband to support a distinctive and flourishing local economy • To maintain the character of Wistaston • To maintain the Green Gap • To support proportionate and environmentally sustainable housing development to meet local needs • To endorse policies that have a positive effect upon, maintains and improves the high quality natural environment. • To retain and improve the range of community facilities in the area Housing Policy May 2016 - Receipt of Housing Policy report June 2016 - Annual fete - Neighbourhood Plan stall featuring displays, leaflets and consulting the public August 2016 - Receipt of Cheshire Wildlife Trust Report - Invitations sent to proposers/developers and local landowners to meet with Steering Group to discuss Neighbourhood Plan. No responses received September 2016 - Annual Duck Race - Neighbourhood Plan stall featuring displays, leaflets and consulting the public November 2016 - Public Consultation on proposed Neighbourhood Plan policies 3 December 2016 - Regulation 14 Consultation. Consultation period ran from 20th December 2016 to 31st January 2017 Cheshire East Borough Council provided a list comprising 224 Prescribed consultation bodies and others, consulted under Regulation 14 by email, with access to the pre-submission plan and supporting documents – (see attached list of Consultees contacted) A total of 200 were successfully delivered and 24 ‘bounced’ and were unsuccessfully delivered. A total of 7 consultees responded to the consultation. In addition to the above, regular updates were provided to the Community through the following editions of the ‘Roundabout’ community magazine:- Spring, Autumn and Winter 2015; Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter 2016 and Spring 2017. There was broad support for the plan and the main issues and concerns raised and how they were addressed are as follows: CHESHIRE EAST (Tom Evans, Cheshire East Neighbourhood Planning Manager) 1. Glossary Include NPPF definition of ‘sustainability’. Agree 2. General Maps – we may need input from CE regarding recent map base. Design and character – CE Design Guide is generic and the developments in the NP area have very differing characteristics. Agreed up to a point but pointed out to Tom Evans that within the settlement there is a mix of architectural styles, materials and house designs. Action – illustrate with photos to refer to the different characters and amend the policy wording. Site allocations –we are within the Crewe Policy area where development is allocated to a number of strategic sites. Any new development is limited by the current urban form and the Green Gap therefore new development is limited to infill, re-use of buildings, replacement dwelling and expansion of local businesses! We need to clarify whether the Strategic Allocations and the recent appeals count as allocations?? Action contact Tom Evans. 4 3. Policies GG1 Retain making reference to the Main Modifications and PG4a (This also takes account of objections by Gladman) H1.2 Amend in accordance with Tom Evans recommendation and include wording to remove PD Rights H2 Amend policy as suggested H4 Amend the boundary to reflect the comments made by CE and to reflect NP4 in the CNLP (This also takes account of objections by Gladman) H5 Whilst CE parking standards do not reflect reality in the rural area because of high car ownership and lack of public transport amend policy. Make the point about high rural car ownership and lack of public transport to allow ‘flexibility’ in the Council’s standards H6 Do we have any evidence to support this policy, if not it should be deleted D1 Remove reference to ‘traditional materials’ and amend the wording to refer to the character of the immediate locality including materials and design D2/3/4 Tom Evans is suggesting further research however I suggest we keep these as they are and amend/expand the justification D5 Agree GS1 Refer to ‘Local Green Spaces’, amend text accordingly GS2 Map spaces and include more analysis as suggested GS5 ‘Traditional materials’ - define terminology into local character – by photos, example and reference to CE Design Guide GS6 Revise policy to delete first paragraph but then include Rookery Hall as suggested by the Cheshire Garden Trust (Takes account of Cheshire Gardens Trust representation) GS7 Amend as suggested E2/C4 Retain 12 months used elsewhere in other plans E3 Delete bullet point 4 as suggested. TP2 Agree to reword and remove reference to 5% TP3 Agree to reword and cross reference to the delivery plan. 5 GLADMAN . Object to Wistaston Settlement Boundary – no change . GG1 Green Gap objection – retain policy as suggested by CE . H1 Scale of housing – object to the support for small scale development – no change . GS1 Open space – revise policy following as suggested by CE CHESHIRE GARDENS TRUST . Protection of the gardens of Rookery Hall should be included – amend revise policy GS6 . Protection of historic designed landscapes – introduce a policy. HISTORIC ENGLAND - No Objections NATURAL ENGLAND – No Objections SPORTS ENGLAND – No objections CHESHIRE BATS – No comments February 2017 - Prepare Regulation 15 Submission reflecting the amendments and changes required following the Regulation 14 Consultation March - Preparation of Statement of Basic Conditions April - Submitted request to Cheshire East Borough Council for Strategic Environmental Assessment - SEA - Preparation of Statement of Consultation 6 Successful Deliveries Email Address First Name Last Name [email protected] 35th SWC Scout Group [email protected] A Thompson Planning Consultant [email protected] Adactus Business Interests [email protected] Age Concern East Cheshire Vountary Bodies [email protected] Age UK Cheshire Vountary Bodies [email protected]