Summary

The purpose of this topic paper is to provide background information for the West and Core Strategy. The topic paper relates to the Rural West Area Partnership Board (APB) area. The APB areas have been used as a basis for the topic papers as monitoring information has been collected for these areas.

The Rural West APB area is the expansive flat western third of the Cheshire plan bordered by the Welsh hills to the west and the Sandstone ridge to the east with Merseyside to the north. It includes the wards of and Parkgate, Ledsham and Willaston, Broxton, Gowy and Mickle Trafford, and covers flat farmland interspersed with hamlets, villages and small towns. Much of the area is within the Cheshire Green Belt, and the area includes almost 50 Conservation Areas.

National, Regional and Local Context

The key reports, plans and policies relating to Rural West are:

PPS1 (Delivering Sustainable Development) (2005) PPS3 (Housing) (2006) PPS7 (Sustainable Development in Rural Areas) (2004) North West Regional Spatial Strategy, policies RDF2, LCR5 (2008) West Cheshire/North East Wales Sub Regional Spatial Strategy, policies R1, R2 and R3 (2004)

Context and Characteristics

In 2007, the population of the Rural West Area was 62,200, which represented 19% of the population of Cheshire West and Chester. The population is expected to decrease by 2% by 2016.

At 46,700 hectares Rural West is the largest area of Cheshire West and Chester. The population density in the Rural West APB is 1.33 people per hectare, which is much less than Cheshire West and Chester (3.49 people per hectare). Rural West APB is a predominantly rural area, with 17% of the population classed as rural and 53% classed as more rural than urban.

One of the key roles of the Rural West area relates to the large areas of land used for agriculture purposes. The pastoral landscape of this area means that it is one of 's prime dairying areas which provides employment and contributes to the local economy. The area has the highest proportion of the working population in Cheshire West and Chester employed in the agricultural sector (1 in 20).

The majority of the area is flat open countryside that includes housing provision in the interspersed hamlets, villages and small towns. It is an area used for recreation and tourism. Its location gives good access to cities, countryside, ports and airports via the road and motorway network and West Coast railway line.

Rural West APB has an ageing population with over half of the population being over the age of 45. In 2007 the crude birth rate was lower (9 per 1000 residents) than both Cheshire West and Chester (11) and England and Wales (13). 99% of people in the Rural West APB area gave their ethnic background as White British or Other White.

81% of housing in Rural West APB is owner occupied. In 2006 the average property price for Rural West APB was £243,858. This is significantly higher than the average price in Cheshire West and Chester which was £188,089 and also England and Wales which was £166,402.

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural 1 West The average household income in the Rural West Area is £40,000. This is 11% higher than the average household income for Cheshire West and Chester and 16% above the average for England and Wales. In April 2009, the unemployment rate in the Rural West APB was 2.0%, the lowest of all the APB's .

Although car ownership is high in the Rural West APB area, there are a number of households without cars. Poor public transport connections coupled with disparities in car ownership mean that for some people particular services are inaccessible, creating small pockets of deprivation.

Nearly half (48%) of the Rural West population are located more than 2 km from a supermarket, and over 60% located more than 2km from a high school.

In Rural West APB the percentage of children who achieved expected outcomes in their Reception year at school was 67%, the highest of all APBs. Overall results at Key Stages 2 and 3, and GCSE and A level were also higher than Cheshire West and Chester and England as a whole.

Rural West APB has recorded the lowest level of crime, violent crime and arson in Cheshire West and Chester.

Key Issues

The key issues are:

Improving the standards of public highways and identifying priority areas for maintenance; Developing green networks; Improving road safety on rural roads; Improving access to public transport; Supporting working from home initiatives and improving broadband speeds; Working with partners to help minimise the number of people at risk of unemployment in Rural West; Supporting the development of the rural economy and creation of jobs; Maintaining the high educational standards across Rural West, targeting areas of greatest need; Reviewing facilities for younger people; Providing an appropriate level of affordable housing to meet local need; Helping reverse the declining population in Rural West APB; Catering for an ageing population; Ensuring that existing facilities and services within Rural West are preserved and supported; Reducing environmental crime, and maintaining good quality green and public spaces; Ensuring communication within communities, linking in communities with statutory agencies; Ensuring that the local communities of Rural West APB are kept engaged and involved in all key decisions concerning their area.

2 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural West 1 Introduction 4 2 National, regional and local context 5 3 Context and characteristics 8 4 Key issues 12 5 Definitions/glossary 15

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural West 1 Introduction

1.1 The purpose of this topic paper is to provide background information for the Cheshire West and Chester Core Strategy. The topic paper relates to the Rural West Area Partnership Board (APB) area. The APB areas have been used as a basis for the topic papers as monitoring information has been collected for these areas.

1.2 The Rural West APB area is shown on the map below. The Rural West area is the expansive flat western third of the Cheshire plane bordered by the Welsh hills to the west and the Sandstone Ridge to the east with Merseyside to the north. It includes the wards of Neston and Parkgate, Ledsham and Willaston, Broxton, Gowy and Mickle Trafford.

1.3 This Rural West area covers flat farmland interspersed with hamlets, villages and small towns including the areas around Malpas, Farndon, , , Doddleston, , , , Tiverton, Neston, Parkgate, Willaston, Ledsham, , , , Mollington, Thornton Le Moores, Mickle Trafford and .

1.4 Much of the area is within the Cheshire green belt, and the area includes almost 50 Conservation Areas.

Map 1.1 Rural West Area Partnership Board Area

4 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural West 2 National, regional and local context

Planning Policy Statement 1 (Delivering Sustainable Development) (2005)

2.1 The Key Issues, Visions and Objectives for all rural areas within CWaC should be produced in tandem with national and regional policies. National policies consist of the full range of planning policy guidance notes (PPGs) and statements (PPSs). Regional polices are set out within the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), known as the North West Plan.

2.2 Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1) sets out the Government's overarching planning policies on the delivery of sustainable development through the planning system.

Planning Policy Statement 3 (Housing) (2006)

2.3 Planning Policy Statement 3 sets out the Government's key housing policy objective for everyone to be able to live in a decent home, which they can afford, in a community where they want to live. The priority for housing development should be on previously developed land, and should have good access to jobs, key services and infrastructure, and lead to the creation of sustainable communities.

Planning Policy Statement 7 (Sustainable Development in Rural Areas) (2004)

2.4 PPS7 sets out the key objectives and principles of the term ‘rural sustainability’ and includes issues of scale of development, protection of the landscape and character of the countryside with which any proposal for development in the countryside will need to conform.

2.5 The Statement details how decisions on development proposals should be based on sustainable development principles that consider:

Social inclusion, recognising the needs of everyone; Effective protection and enhancement of the environment; Prudent use of natural resources; Maintaining high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.

2.6 PPS7 states that new building development in the open countryside should be strictly controlled, well designed and inclusive, in keeping and scale with its location, and sensitive to the character of the countryside and local distinctiveness and should facilitate sustainable development including development that:

Supports traditional land-based activities and makes the most of new leisure and recreational opportunities that require a countryside location; Ensures that the quality and character of the wider countryside is protected and where possible enhanced; Should have particular regard to any areas that have been statutorily designated for their landscape, wildlife or historic qualities, where greater priority should be given to restraint of potentially damaging development; Supports development that delivers diverse and sustainable farming enterprises; Supports other countryside-based enterprises and activities, which contribute to rural economies, and/or promote recreation in and the enjoyment of the countryside; Takes account of the need to protect natural resources;

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural 5 West Conserves specific features and sites of landscape, wildlife and historic or architectural value, in accordance with statutory designations; Discourages the development of ‘greenfield’ land, and, where such land must be used, ensures it is not used wastefully.

North West West of England Plan Regional Spatial Strategy to 2021 (September 2008)

2.7 Policy RDF 2 Rural Areas - Plans and strategies for the Region’s rural areas should:

Support the priorities of the Regional Rural Delivery Framework; Maximise the economic potential of the Region’s rural areas; Support sustainable farming and food; Improve access to affordable rural housing; Ensure fair access to services for rural communities; Empower rural communities and address rural social exclusion; Enhance the value of our rural environmental inheritance.

2.8 Key Service Centres - Plans and strategies should identify a subset of towns and villages as Key Service Centres which:

act as service centres for surrounding areas, providing a range of services including retail, leisure, community, civic, health and education facilities and financial and professional services; have good public transport links to surrounding towns and villages, or the potential for their development and enhancement.

2.9 Development in rural areas should be concentrated in these Key Service Centres and should be of a scale and nature appropriate to fulfil the needs of local communities for housing, employment and services, and to enhance the quality of rural life.

2.10 Local Service Centres - Small scale development to help sustain local services, meet local needs, or support local businesses will be permitted in towns and villages defined as Local Service Centres in Local Development Documents which already provide a more limited range of services to the local community.

2.11 Outside Key and Local Service Centres - In more remote rural areas more innovative and flexible solutions to meet their particular development needs should be implemented and targeted towards achieving:

more equitable access to housing, services, education, healthcare and employment; a more diverse economic base, whilst maintaining support for agriculture and tourism.

2.12 Exceptionally, new development will be permitted in the open countryside where it:

has an essential requirement for a rural location, which cannot be accommodated elsewhere (such as mineral extraction); is needed to sustain existing businesses; provides for exceptional needs for affordable housing; is an extension of an existing building; involves the appropriate change of use of an existing building.

6 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural West 2.13 Policy LCR 5 - West Cheshire and North East Wales states that plans and strategies within this area should support and diversify the rural economy in line with policy RDF2 and improve access to services in the rural areas.

2.14 The West Cheshire \ North East Wales Sub Regional Spatial Strategy (2004) provides a non statutory framework for greater cross-border co-operation and development between North East Wales and West Cheshire over the next 15 years. It supports integrated spatial policy and development at a local level on both sides of the border.

2.15 The strategy suggests that the rural hinterland of the sub-region differs from its urban settlements and centres in terms of environmental, social and economic characteristics and as a consequence warrants specific attention. It states that development within the rural hinterland is likely to be for local needs only, in accordance with existing and new development plans. The Strategy stresses that there will be opportunities in this area to improve transport links and accessibility between rural areas and the main settlements and centres, and recognises opportunities for sustained indigenous growth and micro-industries.

Policy R1 Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural sector - Farms will be encouraged to develop both as producers and through the introduction of complementary activities. Policy R2 Improving the vitality of rural communities - The application of new technology and an improved supply of housing tailored to local circumstances can bring prosperity and secure local services in rural communities. Policy R3 Improving rural accessibility - Links between rural and urban areas within the sub-region will be strengthened, to provide rural residents with greater choice and flexibility over employment and service provision where this cannot be provided within their own communities.

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural 7 West 3 Context and characteristics

Overview of the Area

3.1 A wide range of consultation has been undertaken by CWaC, along with partnership organisations, to help identify priorities for the Rural West Area Partnership Board. The top three priorities for improvement in 2008 were road and pavement repairs, public transport, and activities for teenagers. This indicates the importance of transport within Rural West area for accessing services and suggests a link with the perception that teenagers hanging around on streets were a problem in local areas.

3.2 Rural West Area Partnership Board is divided into 9 Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs) and 38 Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs). These are based on population characteristics rather than administrative boundaries and form basic units for understanding local information.

3.3 The area of Rural West APB is about 46,700 hectares, the largest area of Cheshire West and Chester. The population density for 2007 in the Rural West APB was 1.33 people per hectare, which is less than Cheshire West and Chester (3.49 people per hectare).

3.4 Rural West APB is a predominantly rural area, with 17% of the population classed as rural (7% in Cheshire West and Chester) and 53% classed as more rural than urban (23% in Cheshire West and Chester).

3.5 From the Places Survey, 91% of people surveyed said they were satisfied with where they lived and 41% were very satisfied. This was the highest proportion of all APBs in Cheshire West and Chester. Just 3 % of people in Rural West were dissatisfied.

Role and Function

3.6 One of the key roles of the Rural West area relates to the large areas of land used for agriculture purposes. The pastoral landscape of this area means that it is one of England's prime dairying areas which provides employment and contributes to the local economy.

3.7 The majority of the area is flat open countryside that includes housing provision in the interspersed hamlets, villages and small towns. It is an area used for recreation and tourism. Its location gives good access to cities, countryside, ports and airports via the road and motorway network and West Coast railway line.

3.8 Parts of the southern area of the Rural West APB area are within rural regeneration area programmes.

3.9 The area around Malpas and Tattenhall falls within 'The Northern Marches'. The Northern Marches England Development Partnership operates as a Local Action Group across Northern Shropshire and South Cheshire. The Group has successfully secured £1.85 million to deliver a programme of work until 2013 through the "Rural Development Programme for England" (RDPE).

3.10 The aims and objectives of the new programme will be to capitalise on the local distinctiveness of the Northern Marches area to stimulate rural economic and community development, and to empower local people to work in partnership to build a vibrant and dynamic local community.

8 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural West 3.11 Another regeneration programme within the Rural West APB area is the The Habitats and Hillforts of Cheshire’s Sandstone Ridge Landscape Partnership Scheme, which covers the geographical areas around Tiverton, Beeston and Broxton. This has brought together public, private and voluntary interests to better conserve and interpret the chain of historically important hill top Iron Age forts that lines Cheshire's Sandstone Ridge.

Key Facts and Figures

Housing and Population

3.12 According to the research carried out in 2007 Rural West APB area has a population of 62,200 representing 19% of the population of Cheshire West and Chester. The population is expected to decrease by 2% by 2016.

Rural West APB has two market towns, Neston with a population of 18,910 and Malpas with 1,640. Cuddington is the largest parish with a population of 5,400. The parishes of Elton, Saughall, Tarvin, Kesall, Tattenhall and have populations of between 2,000 and 4000. The parishes of Malpas, Mickle Trafford, Farndon, Waverton and Guilden Sutton have populations of 1000 to 2000. The rest of the population is scattered in rural areas including 47 parishes of populations of between 100 and 1000. 51 Parishes have less than 100 people.

3.13 Rural West APB has an ageing population with over half of the population being over the age of 45. This is higher than the national average which is 41%. Rural West APB also has a significantly lower proportion of those aged between 20-35 than England and Wale. There is also a lower proportion of 0-4 and 20-39 year olds not only in England and Wales but of all the APBs in Cheshire West and Cheshire. Rural West APB also has the highest proportion of people aged over 50.

3.14 In 2007 the crude birth rate was lower (9 per 1000 residents) than both Cheshire West and Chester (11) and England and Wales (13).

3.15 81% of housing in Rural West APB is owner occupied, higher than the average for Cheshire West and Chester of 75%. 9% of households are social rented. According to the 2001 Census 32 % of people lived in semi detached houses, 3% lived in a flat, maisonette or apartment. 1% of the population lived in a caravan or other temporary/mobile structure.

3.16 In 2006 the average property price for Rural West APB was £243,858, based upon 1109 sales. This is significantly higher than the average price in Cheshire West and Chester which was £188,089 and also England and Wales which was £166,402.

3.17 Within the rural part of the district the effect of high house prices in the last few years have been magnified by the continued demand for housing within the villages, along with planning policies which have restricted the development of new housing within the rural area.

3.18 According to the 2001 Census, there were 24800 households in the Rural West APB. Single person households formed 25% of the total number of households. 29% of households had dependent children, and lone parents with dependent children made up 4% of all households.

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural 9 West 3.19 99% of people in the Rural West APB area gave their ethnic background as White British or Other White.

Employment and Economy

3.20 Within the Rural West APB area there are a number of key employment sites at Chester Gates, Chester Business Park, Capenhurst and Neston Industrial Area.

3.21 The average household income in the Rural West Area is £40,000. This is 11% higher than the average household income for Cheshire West and Chester and 16% above the average for England and Wales.

3.22 Rural West APB area has the highest proportion of the working population employed in the agricultural sector (1 in 20), and this area accounts for 45% of the agricultural industry classification in Cheshire West and Chester. 34% of the Rural West APB population have managerial and professional roles which is the highest in the authority. About 4 in 5 residents in the Rural West area are employed in the service sector. 27% have never worked, 15% have intermediate supervisory or technical roles. 15% are in semi-routine and routine jobs. 9 % are self employed.

3.23 In April 2009, the unemployment rate in the Rural West APB was 2.0%, the lowest of all the APB's. Of those who were unemployed, 4% had been out of work for over a year, 29% were under 25 years old and 21% were aged 50+. Neston and Parkgate middle super output area had the highest unemployment rate of 2.8%. This is significantly lower than the highest rate in Cheshire West and Chester which was 9.0% in Westminster and Central.

3.24 9 out of the top 10 LSOAs in Cheshire West and Chester for Barriers to Housing and Services are situated in the Rural West APB Area. Gowy North 4 ranks highest in Cheshire West and Chester and was 870th nationally.

Retail and Town Centres

3.25 Nearly half (48%) of the Rural West population are located more than 2 km from a supermarket. The Rural West APB area spreads across the two former boroughs of Chester and . The Southern part falls within the area covered by the Chester Retail study carried out by White Young Green in 2007. This indicated that the most popular destination for residents in the Chester Area for convenience shopping were Chester, Ellesmere Port, , Caldy Valley Park Chester and also outside the Cheshire area into Wales and the Borders. 0.8% of residents carried out their shopping online. The northern part falls within the Ellesmere Port Retail study. This indicated that the most popular destination for residents in the Ellesmere Port and Neston area were Ellesmere Port and Cheshire Oaks. Some residents also shopped outside the Cheshire West and Chester area such as Bromborough and Heswall. Notably very few people carried out their main food shopping in Neston. 1.2% of residents from the Ellesmere Port and Neston area shopped online.

Travel and Transport

3.26 In terms of car ownership nearly half of households owned 2 or more cars and 7 in 10 residents used the car to travel to work. On average Rural West commuters travel 50% further than other commuters in England to their normal place of work. Over 6 in 10 households were located more than 2km from a high school.

10 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural West 3.27 Although car ownership is high in the Rural West APB area, there are a number of households without cars. Poor public transport connections coupled with disparities in car ownership mean that for some people particular services are inaccessible, creating small pockets of deprivation.

3.28 Over recent years the rural areas have suffered the loss of services. This can be linked with the high level of car ownership which has eroded the commercial viability of many local services.

3.29 In 2006 the number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents in Rural West APB was 87.

3.30 There are a number of cycle networks throughout the area, such as the NCN 56 which runs through Neston. The latest section of the Chester Millennium Greenway linking Mickle Trafford to Chester City Centre and to Wales beyond was opened on 27 October 2009.

3.31 The area has a number of railway stations, such as and Neston.

Waste and Minerals

3.32 There are two Preferred Sites identified in the Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan 2007 for waste management facilities at Gowy and Tattenhall Works.

Climate Change

3.33 In 2006 Rural West APB had the highest consumption per meter for domestic gas, electricity and Economy 7 electricity in Cheshire West and Chester and consumption was also higher than in England and Wales.

3.34 6% of households in Rural West APB were considered to be in fuel poverty, the same as for Cheshire West and Chester.

Other

3.35 In Rural West APB there are 32 primary schools and 3 secondary schools. The percentage of children who achieved expected outcomes in their Reception Year at school was 67%, the highest of all APBs. Overall results at Key Stages 2 and 3, and GCSE and A level were also higher than Cheshire West and Chester and England as a whole.

3.36 No LSOAs in Rural West were in the lowest 20% nationally for the Children in Need Indicator (which relates to the proportions of children supported by social services).

3.37 Rural West APB has recorded the lowest level of crime, violent crime and arson in Cheshire West and Chester.

3.38 In 2001, 16% of people in Rural West APB reported having long-term illness or disability, the same as for Cheshire West and Chester.

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural 11 West 4 Key issues

4.1 The Place Survey 2008 found that 91% of residents of Rural West APB were satisfied with where they lived. However, although Rural West suffers from fewer problems than other parts of Cheshire West and Chester, there are still issues which need to be addressed. The general affluence of the area can mask pockets of deprivation and need which must not be ignored. Additionally, the very qualities which make Rural West such a pleasant place to live can also lead to problems, such as unaffordable house prices for local residents, the need to travel to reach services, and a lack of nearby facilities for younger people.

4.2 A wide range of consultation and analysis has been undertaken by other departments within Cheshire West and Chester Council, along with partnership organisations, to help identify the major issues and priorities for the Rural West Area Partnership Board. These issues include:

Improving the standards of public highways and identifying priority areas for maintenance - a greater proportion of the APB is more than 2km away from job centres, banks, secondary schools, supermarkets, GP surgeries and post offices than other areas within Cheshire West and Chester, and this priority highlights the current need to use the roads to access services; Improving road safety on rural roads; Improving access to public transport - those households without a car in Rural West suffer from often infrequent public transport, leading to isolation and difficulties accessing services; Supporting working from home initiatives, to help address the need to travel; Working with partners to help minimise the number of people at risk of unemployment in Rural West - a large proportion (39%) of Rural West workers are in the banking, finance and insurance sectors, which have been hit hard by the current economic downturn; Supporting the development of the rural economy and creation of jobs; Maintaining the high educational standards across Rural West, targeting areas of greatest need; Reviewing facilities for younger people, as the 2008 Place Survey found that the perception of teenagers hanging around on the streets was viewed as the greatest concern of 26% of respondents; Providing an appropriate level of affordable housing to meet local need. Rural West has the highest house prices in Cheshire West and Chester, leading to difficulties for young people to stay in their communities; Helping reverse the declining population in Rural West APB, due to decrease by 2% by 2016; Catering for an ageing population. Rural West has the highest proportion of elderly people in Cheshire West and Chester; Ensuring that existing facilities and services within Rural West are preserved and supported, in order to maintain communities and reduce the need to travel; Reducing environmental crime, and maintaining good quality green and public spaces, in order to keep Rural West an attractive place to live; Ensuring that the local communities of Rural West APB are kept engaged and involved in all key decisions concerning their area.

4.3 The key issues can be grouped into the following main themes:

How can access be improved? How can employment opportunities be secured? How can facilities be maintained and enhanced? How can the housing needs of Rural West be met?

12 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural West Accessibility

4.4 The main priority which residents of Rural West APB felt needed addressing was the improvement of the standards of public highways. Residents in the rural area are further away from facilities and services and as such need to travel further. However, the Rural West is not well served by public transport. Additionally, the lack of pavements can make it difficult for pedestrians in the area.

4.5 Extensions to cycle routes are currently underway and for example the latest section of the Chester Millennium Greenway at Mickle Trafford was opened on 27 October 2009. The improvement of the cycling network has a valuable contribution to make to increasing accessibility for many Rural West residents, as does the creation of green networks.

4.6 A further way of reducing the need to travel is by supporting the retention of existing community facilities and encouraging the number of home workers within Rural West, and the improvements of broadband speeds.

Employment

4.7 Rural West APB enjoys a lower level of unemployment than Cheshire West and Chester as a whole. However, 29% of unemployed people are under 25. Additionally, 39% of Rural West APB's industry is in the banking, finance and insurance sectors, which are currently suffering in the recent economic downturn.

4.8 One of the priorities residents felt was high on the agenda was supporting the development of the rural economy and the creation of jobs. This can, however, be difficult in an area with environmental and Green Belt constraints. Intensification as well as diversification is considered important by some residents.

Facilities

4.9 Another of the priorities raised by residents in Rural West was the lack of facilities for children and young people. This highlights a bigger issue of community facilities such as local public houses and shops being closed or redeveloped as residents who commute to work often choose to carry out their daily tasks away from their village of residences, and again leads to people needing the use of a car to access services.

4.10 Maintaining services within rural areas is key, not only to help alleviate deprivation, but also because these essential parts of infrastructure are critical in attracting businesses and new development into rural areas.

Housing

4.11 House prices in Rural West APB are higher than elsewhere in Cheshire West and Chester. In 2006 the average property cost £243 858, higher than the Cheshire West and Chester average of £188 089. This high cost has outpriced many existing and newly forming residents of Rural West. However, only 9% of properties were social rented, lower than the 17% for Cheshire West and Chester as a whole.

4.12 Within the rural part of the district the effect of high house prices in the last few years have been magnified by the continued demand for housing within the villages, along with planning policies which have restricted the development of new housing within the rural area. Many of the villages

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural 13 West are currently 'washed over' by the Green Belt, which limits potential for development of both affordable and market housing.

4.13 The challenge is to ensure that there are a variety of homes available in appropriate rural locations at a range of prices to meet local demands, whilst ensuring that the countryside is protected from unwelcome development. As within urban areas affordable housing has to make up a certain percentage of new housing developments. However, increasing provision in rural areas is slower as rural planning is often restricted by Green Belt designation and few large scale rural developments are planned.

4.14 All of these factors combine to contribute to a housing affordability problem within the rural areas of the district. High levels of private ownership coupled with rising prices and strict planning controls limit the amount of affordable and social housing available.

4.15 Additionally, Rural West APB has an ageing population, with over half of the population being over 45. This will have an impact in future years on the type of housing which will be needed.

14 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural West 5 Definitions/glossary

Inset Village - A village that is enclosed by Green Belt, but where Green Belt restrictions do not apply within the village boundary. This is distinct from a 'washed over village' which is included in the Green Belt.

Rural Exception Site - A site which is on the edge of or within an existing rural settlement, where housing development may be exceptionally allowed, to provide 100% affordable housing to cater for local needs.

Washed Over - A village wholly contained within the Green Belt within which Green Belt policies and restrictions apply.

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Rural 15 West