Cheshire East Local Development Framework

Place Shaping Consultation

Congleton Snapshot July 2011

Foreword 2 1 Introduction 3 Introduction 3 What is the Local Development Framework? 3 How is the Local Development Framework being prepared? 3 What are the timescales for preparing the Local Development Framework? 4 What is the Place Shaping Consultation? 5 How do we assess the suitability of proposals? 6 How does this relate to Community-Led Planning? 7 How does this relate to Neighbourhood Planning? 7 2 A Snapshot of the Town 8 An Introduction to the Town 8 Housing 10 Economy 11 Town Centre 14 Transport 16 Open Space and the Countryside 17 The Built Environment 19 Community Infrastructure 22 3 To Sum Up... 26 To Sum Up... 26 Appendices 27 Appendix A: Glossary of Terms 27 Appendix B: References 30 Contents

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 1 Cheshire East Local Development Framework

Place Shaping Consultation – Snapshot Reports

Foreword

Cheshire East is facing many challenges over the next twenty years or so. These include climate change, moving to a low carbon and globalised economy and increased housing need. These challenges will need to be faced in a period of a slow growing national economy and much reduced levels of infrastructure investment by the Government.

It will therefore be important to have a clear strategy to tackle these issues and to indicate how we want our towns and villages to change and grow.

Your Place

Your Future

Your Say

In autumn 2010, we consulted on options for the overall strategy for Cheshire East. We are following this up with the Place Shaping Consultation to look at the challenges facing our towns and villages and how these can be addressed in the new development plan for Cheshire East.

The Place Shaping Consultation asks some fundamental questions:

What do you want your town or village to be like in 2030? What are the challenges facing the town or village? What are the constraints and opportunities for development? How can development help to deliver improved local infrastructure?

This Snapshot Report sets out an overview of your town with a wealth of interesting facts to help you think about planning its future.

Through this consultation we are embracing the spirit of localism and neighbourhood planning.

I want to encourage everyone to help us prepare the new plan so that we can make sure that Cheshire East continues to be a great place for our children, grandchildren and us to enjoy.

Cllr David Brown Foreword

2 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report Introduction

1.1 Cheshire East Council is working together with town and parish councils, local area partnerships, businesses, community groups and local people of all ages to prepare the new development plan for Cheshire East – called the Local Development Framework. This will guide the future planning and development of our towns, villages and countryside up to 2030. It will cover all of Cheshire East except the area that lies within the Peak District National Park. The Local Development Framework will aim to ensure that Cheshire East continues to have:

a thriving economy an attractive environment a wide choice of housing vibrant town centres with good quality shops and leisure facilities, schools, health and community facilities, a choice of transport What is the Local Development Framework?

1.2 The Local Development Framework will consist of three main reports:

1.3 Core Strategy – this will set out the vision, objectives and strategy for the future development of the Borough. It may include strategic development sites.

1.4 Site Allocations Plan – this will include detailed policies to be used in considering planning applications as well as site allocations and policies.

1.5 Infrastructure Plan - this will set out the improvements required to transport, social and community infrastructure, such as schools and health services, that will be required to serve new development. It will set out a programme for their development and any financial contributions that new developments will be required to make.

1.6 The Local Development Framework will be a single plan for Cheshire East and will replace the Regional Spatial Strategy, the Cheshire Structure Plan, Cheshire Waste and Minerals Plans and the Local Plans for Congleton, Macclesfield and Crewe and Nantwich. How is the Local Development Framework being prepared?

Background Evidence

1.7 We started preparing the Local Development Framework in 2009, by producing background evidence to help us understand the challenges facing the Borough. This looked at housing, economic development, retailing, open space, environment, transport, minerals and waste. All reports can be viewed on the Council’s website at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ldf and at the Council offices at Westfields, Sandbach.

Strategic Issues and Options Consultation

1.8 We carried out a Borough wide consultation from November to December 2010 to begin the discussions about how future housing and economic growth in the Borough should be planned for. Options for the level of growth and three development strategies were considered. This consultation provided valuable feedback which is summarised in the Report of Consultation available on the Cheshire East website and at the Council offices at Westfields, Sandbach. Introduction

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 3 The Place Shaping Consultation

1.9 One of the key messages from this consultation was that further work was needed to understand the challenges facing each town and village and the opportunities and constraints to addressing them. The Council is keen to embrace the new spirit of localism and to ensure that local communities have the opportunity to be involved in shaping the plan for their community. We want to be sure that all sections of the community have the chance to be involved and that the plan takes account of the needs of everyone, in particular the needs of the next generation.

1.10 Through the Place Shaping Consultation Cheshire East Council will be working closely with town and parish councils, local area partnerships, town partnerships, local businesses, community groups, young people and individuals to develop a plan for each town and larger village that will be taken forward into the Local Development Framework. Smaller villages will be asked to consider whether they have any development requirements and proposals to be included in the plan. What are the timescales for preparing the Local Development Framework?

1.11 The timescales for the preparation of the Local Development Framework are shown in the Figure below: Introduction

4 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report What is the Place Shaping Consultation?

1.12 There are three stages to the consultation and a number of events are planned. These stages are: Introduction

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 5 1.13 Firstly, we want to understand the issues and challenges facing the community.

1.14 This Snapshot Report sets out information about the development of the town: about the housing, economy, town centre, transport, built and natural environment and community infrastructure. It identifies some key challenges that we need to take into account as we plan the future of the town.

1.15 We would like to hear what you like about the town, the changes needed and your priorities. You can contribute through any of these events:

Local Area Partnership events – workshops for parish councils, community groups and stakeholders Community Exhibition with questionnaire On line and postal consultation with questionnaire Play Your Place with your group

1.16 Your Place - This activity has been developed for groups to think about the needs of different people in their community and what type of place they may want to live in. Contact the Spatial Planning Team to obtain an activity pack.

1.17 Secondly, we will then look at the constraints to development, the areas that need to be safeguarded and then consider and assess options for various types of development. This will help us to work together to develop the plan for the town. You can contribute through any of these events:

Stakeholder workshops Exhibitions - community consultation On line and postal consultation

1.18 Thirdly, we have to bring the plans for each town and village together and assess whether they will deliver the overall needs of the Borough as a whole. This will be through:

Local Area Partnership Assemblies will consider the plans Cheshire East Council will consider the plans and undertake assessments to ensure that they comply with and deliver European and national legislation and planning policy. The Council will have to ensure that there is a consistency of approach and that the plans in combination will deliver the growth aspirations for the Borough as a whole. Cheshire East Council’s Cabinet will consider the plans and assessments and agree the policies and proposals to be included in the Preferred Options draft of the Local Development Framework. How do we assess the suitability of proposals?

1.19 The options will be subject to a Sustainability Appraisal (incorporating a Strategic Environmental Appraisal) that will test the proposals against a number of social, economic and environmental indicators. Amongst other things, it will assess how the plan affects all sections of the community, whether it promotes health and how it affects rural areas.

1.20 A Habitats Regulation Assessment will be carried out to appraise the impact of proposals on any sites and habitats designated as being of European importance for nature conservation.

1.21 The Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment will be published for consultation alongside the Local Development Framework. Introduction

6 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report How does this relate to Community-Led Planning?

1.22 Many communities in Cheshire East have completed Parish Plans. These have provided an understanding of the challenges facing the community and an action plan for a wide range of initiatives. Parish Plans cannot allocate land for development or include policies to control the planning or use of land - that is the role of the Local Development Framework.

1.23 Parish Plans provide a useful starting point for the community to prepare its proposals for the future planning of its village. Many communities have identified the need to provide more affordable housing and / or starter homes in the village. Providing that a site can been agreed with the support of the community, this can be taken forward as a proposed allocation into the Local Development Framework. Other proposals such as new open space or community facilities may also be proposed for allocation and included in the Infrastructure Plan.

1.24 The Local Development Framework will include policies to safeguard important open areas such as parks and play areas as well as designated nature conservation sites and heritage assets. Communities may wish to review the boundaries shown in the Local Plan and highlight any changes they consider appropriate to reflect changed circumstances. How does this relate to Neighbourhood Planning?

1.25 The Localism Bill is introducing the concept of Neighbourhood Planning. The intention behind this is for Parish Councils or neighbourhood forums to work with the Borough Council to prepare their own development plan that will deliver the detailed planning policies and site allocations for their area in accordance with the Local Development Framework Core Strategy. Each Neighbourhood Plan would be required to demonstrate that it accords with European and national legislation and planning policy. It will be subject to a public examination and a referendum.

1.26 Cheshire East Council wants to embrace the spirit of localism by working closely with communities through the Place Shaping Consultation to ensure that all communities have the same opportunity to help shape the preparation of the plan for their town or village to be included in the Local Development Framework. By working together in this way it is envisaged that the resources and costs of plan preparation, assessment and examination will be managed more effectively. Introduction

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 7 An Introduction to the Town

2.1 Congleton is a historic mill town in the centre of Cheshire East and has a population of 26,580 people. The town lies on the River Dane which runs to the north of the town centre. The Macclesfield Canal runs to the south east of the town.

2.2 The town lies close to the Cheshire East boundary and is 11km east of the M6 motorway. It has strong connections with the Potteries to the south and Biddulph in Staffordshire Moorlands.

2.3 Congleton is located on the A34 which runs between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester, and the A54 which runs eastwards to Buxton and the Peak District and west to Holmes Chapel, Middlewich and Chester. The A536 links the town with Macclesfield and with the A527 to Biddulph, which provides an alternative route into Stoke-on-Trent.

Figure 2.1 Location of Congleton

2.4 Evidence of people living in the area dates back as far as Neolithic and Roman Times. The town owes its name to a bend in the River Dane; the old English word for bend is 'cong' and 'ton' own is the Anglo-Saxon name for town. The nickname for the town is 'beartown' which is used as part T of its successful branding and relates to traditions in the town. the

2.5 Congleton has an important manufacturing heritage stemming from the early days of corn mills in the 13th Century and utilising the water power from the River Dane. In 1451, the River of Dane flooded and destroyed many wooden buildings and mills. This led to the town centre being moved to higher ground. The River Dane itself was also diverted at this time. Snapshot

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8 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 2.6 Until the 18th Century, the wealth of the town came from leather working and lace making. The first Silk Mill was built in 1752 and thereafter the textile industry developed. By the end of the 18th Century, there were a large number of mills. A lot of those early textile mills survive today although a number have been converted to other uses.

2.7 The Macclesfield Canal opened in 1831 and was largely used to carry coal to fuel industry in its early years. In 1848, the railway arrived.

2.8 The influence of the manufacturing industry is still felt today, for example, the making of ribbons and tapes by Berisfords has been based on Thomas Street since 1858. Indeed, Berisfords was one of the first to use electricity supply in the town in 1931.

2.9 In 1980, the dual carriageway along Mountbatten Way was constructed to bypass the town centre and more recently Bridge Street and part of High Street have been pedestrianised to improve the town centre shopping experience.

2.10 Green Belt designations exist to the south and east of the town. To the north east there is the Jodrell Bank Telescope Consultation Zone where development that may affect the radio telescope is controlled

2.11 Today, the town has an active Town Council and Partnership. Congleton is regarded as a pleasant place to live and professional people are attracted to the town by its environment, facilities, education and community spirit.

2.12 Congleton is a fair trade town and is working towards an award known as 'transition towns' status in preparing the local community for a low carbon future.

2.13 Surrounding parish areas that associate and are impacted by Congleton include:

Brereton Newbold Astbury Somerford Hulme Walfield Eaton North Rode Bosley own T

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 9 Housing

2.14 There are more than 11,900 houses in Congleton. This represents over 7% of the total number of houses in Cheshire East.

2.15 The town is considered a popular place to live with demand for a mix of housing types.

2.16 There are a large number of detached properties when compared to the Cheshire East average. These are made up of detached houses, cottages and bungalows. The town has a slightly lower level of semi – detached, terraced and flat or apartment type properties than the Cheshire East average.

Figure 2.2 House Types in Congleton

2.17 Congleton is likely to need between 920 - 3,520 new homes by 2030. Studies have indicated that there is a need for a range of house types, sizes and tenures.

2.18 The Cheshire East Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) (2010) identified a shortfall of 33 affordable homes each year in Congleton, particularly for family homes.

2.19 In recent years, the town has been subject to development restraint policies, the purpose of

own which was to assist in the regeneration of the T

Potteries. On average, there has been 62 homes built per year in the last 5 years. the 2.20 A total of 13 homes were built in 2010 /11 of

including completed houses at Fountain Street. Work has also commenced at the housing Figure 2.3 Housing, Moody Street development of the former Bath Vale works site. Snapshot

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10 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 2.21 According to recent research in the SHMA (2010):

House prices for the town are currently below the Cheshire East average. The mean average house price from January 2008 to June 2009 was £168,374 in Congleton compared to the Cheshire East average of £208,716. Despite this, there are a number of local people who cannot afford to purchase their own home and enter onto the property market. Compared to the Borough average, the town has less people who are living in overcrowded conditions; It is possible to identify households that are under occupying. That is where there are more bedrooms than the household needs. 13.4% of households in the town have three or more 'spare bedrooms' and are considered to be under occupying. This compares to the Cheshire East average of 14.1%; The SHMA Identified a higher proportion of vacant residential properties in the town than the Borough average. These properties, if brought back to use, could meet some of the housing demand in the town.

2.22 There is a lower proportion of people under the age of 26 (especially the age ranges of 10-24) and a higher proportion of residents over the age of 55, compared to the Cheshire East average. The high proportion of the town's population over the age of 65 was confirmed in the SHMA (2010). This study identified a need for 1 or 2 bedroom accommodation for older people.

2.23 Whilst Congleton is generally a prosperous town, the Bromley Farm area is rated amongst the 25% most deprived in the England and Wales based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation. The index compares neighbourhood areas based on a number of deprivation factors such as health, unemployment, quality of housing and so on. Figure 2.4 Age Stucture in Congleton 2.24 There is a need to ensure that there is sufficient housing to meet the needs of the town’s existing and future residents over the next 20 years or so. It is also important to make sure that sufficient affordable housing is provided for people who cannot afford to purchase market housing. Economy

2.25 The town has a robust manufacturing tradition continued today with major employers including: own T Siemens Airbags International the Berisfords; and

Senior Aerospace Bird Bellows. of

Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 11 2.26 Employment in the manufacturing sector is well above the Cheshire East average, other employment sectors with a high percentage of jobs are the construction, distribution, hotels and restaurants sector. As highlighted in Figure 2.5:

Figure 2.5 Employment by Sector: Congleton and Cheshire East

2.27 Signs of manufacturing heritage still exist today with a number of mill buildings converted to commercial uses. One example is Riverside Mill on Mountbatten Way, now the home of the East Cheshire Chamber and The Congleton Learning Centre.

2.28 Textile and ribbon work traditions are still present in the town. Berisfords, based on Thomas Street produce quality ribbons, bow manufacture, fabric and accessories.

2.29 Other manufacturers include Siemens where the variable speed drives that control the motors for production lines are made and Airbags International who produce airbags for transport systems. Other major employers in the town include Pulse Fitness and East Cheshire NHS Trust.

2.30 Out of a total of 164,400 jobs located in Cheshire East, Congleton provides 9,900. This represents 6% of the total jobs available own

T in the Borough. There are an estimated 900 Figure 2.6 Siemens VAT Registered businesses including a

the number of start-up businesses. of

2.31 The town is currently a net exporter of labour meaning that more people who live in the town travel outside to work rather than work within the town. Data suggests that around a third of residents of working age travel outside of the town to work. Snapshot

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12 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 2.32 Congleton has five major existing employment sites:

Eaton Bank to the north of the town centre alongside the River Dane Congleton Business Park to the north of the town centre Daneside Business Park to the north of the town centre Greenfield Industrial Estate on the western side of the town Radnor Park Industrial Estate located to the Figure 2.7 Congleton Business Park west of the town centre

2.33 The Congleton Employment Land Study commissioned by the Town Council and Partnership has identified a lack of flexible employment space in the town.

2.34 Recently, planning permission has been granted for housing development at Bath Vale Works (to the east of the town) on a site previously used employment purposes. This scheme and others in the town highlight a wider trend of pressure on other employment sites for alternative uses, such as housing and / or other commercial uses.

2.35 A number of other economic related indicators include:

The 2001 Census provides information about economic inactivity in the town. Of all the people aged 16-74, 30.3% are economically inactive. This compares to the Cheshire East figures of 31.2%. The town has a higher than Cheshire East average proportion of residents who are sick or disabled. There is also a high proportion of retired residents. The figure below breaks down economic inactivity by type: own T

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Figure 2.8 Percentage of Residents Economically Inactive by Type Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 13 Unemployment in the town is 2.6%, which is slightly above the Cheshire East figure of 2.5% (proportion of residents claiming Job Seekers Allowance in March 2011); Average income levels for residents of the town are £36,314 compared to the Cheshire East average of £38,119; 59.9% of town residents are of working age; A slightly higher proportion of residents of the town are economically active compared to the Borough average (69.7% compared to 68.8% respectively);

2.36 Travel to work data allows us to find out the number of people who both live and work in the town (self containment). Generally, the higher the level of self containment the greater the opportunity to work and live in the same area. Analysis of travel to work data from the 2001 Census provides the following information:

48.6% of people both live and work in the town. 51.4% of people live in the town but work elsewhere (out-commuting), the main destinations residents travel to include Macclesfield, Stoke-on-Trent, Chelford (AstraZeneca) and Greater Manchester; 36% of people live elsewhere and work within the town (in-commuting), the main destinations from where people travel from into Congleton for work include Staffordshire Moorlands, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent and Macclesfield.

2.37 The town has a strong business infrastructure supported by the Town Council, Town Partnership and number of other stakeholders. These groups and others are looking to promote business development in the town. One of many initiatives in the town is called ‘Congleton in Transition’ which is preparing the town for a low carbon future. Another is the 'Congleton Means Business' 2 day event, held in May 2011, which has been used to promote business and investment in the town.

2.38 The town has started to capitalise on its natural and built assets as a driver for tourism, and now has an annual calendar of established events. The use of 'beartown' as branding for this has been extremely successful with the Congleton Partnership winning a 'North West Market Town' award recently. Town Centre

2.39 Congleton has an attractive town centre which benefits from many historic buildings, two conservation areas and a number of unique features. Focal points include the renowned Congleton Park, the historic Town Hall and Little Street.

2.40 The main shopping facilities are within the town centre at Bridestones Shopping Centre, Capitol Walk Shopping Centre, Bridge Street, High Street, Lawton Street and Mill Street. Outside the town centre, facilities include the Congleton Retail Park on Barn own Road and the West Heath Shopping Centre. T

2.41 In addition to the smaller shops in the the

town, there are also a number of supermarkets

of which serve the community. These include Morrisons at Bridestones Centre and Aldi on Mountbatten Way. These stores anchor the town centre. Farm Foods is located on Market Figure 2.9 Bridge Street, Congleton Snapshot

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14 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report Street and Somerfield and Aldi at the West Street Shopping Centre. Tesco is located on Barn Road out of the town centre. The 2010 Cheshire Town Centre Retail Study has identified that Morrisons and Tesco are the most popular retail destinations in the town for food shopping.

2.42 There is a covered market in the town which is held twice weekly with an additional car boot sale on a Sunday and monthly farmers market which offers local produce for sale.

2.43 A large number of shops in the town are run by independent retailers, selling a large number of specialist items. There are also a number of national retailers located in the town.

2.44 The 2010 Town Centre Shopping Survey carried out by Cheshire East Council provides the following information:

There are 326 units in the town centre. 20% (66 units) were vacant, significantly higher than the Cheshire East average of 12% and the national average of 13.9%. 133 units were shops 34 units were financial and professional services 39 units were restaurants, cafés, drinking establishments and hot food take-aways A further 54 units were in other uses.

2.45 The 2010 Cheshire Town Centre Retail Study provides the following additional information

There is 35,630 square metres of retail floor space in the town centre. 14.6% of floor space is used for convenience retailing (food). 33.3% of floor space is used for comparison retailing (clothes, electrical, furniture and so on). The town centre currently performs a more localised convenience shopping role. The retail study identified a need to increase the number of leisure attractions and hotels in the town The study has identified a need for additional retail premises in the town centre. Figure 2.10 Capitol Walk, Congleton 2.46 A planning application has recently been approved, subject to legal agreement, for the erection of an extension to the Bridestones Centre (a 0.75 ha site). This proposal by the Scarborough Development Group includes:

A foodstore; Speciality A1 retail units; Replacement market area; Cafe and restaurant uses; Hotel; own

Car parking and servicing facilities; and T

A town square. the 2.47 The Town Council and partners have produced a blueprint of actions for how the town of centre should be developed. This document looks to reestablish Congleton as a place to work and shop as well as live. The blueprint sets out 6 town centre projects and other schemes. Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 15 2.48 Cheshire East Council, the Town Council and partners have commissioned a study to look at the delivery of a number of town centre projects, this is called the 'Congleton Town Centre Development Appraisal and Delivery Strategy'.

2.49 E*scape Urbanists are currently working with the Town Council to produce a Public Realm Strategy for the town. Transport

2.50 Congleton is well connected to the national road network and lies approximately 11km east of the M6 motorway, connected via the A534. The A534 and A54 Holmes Chapel Road meet the A34 which runs through the town. The A34 road links the town to Stoke-on-Trent to the south and Manchester Road to the north.

2.51 The A54 runs from Holmes Chapel to the west of the town and out towards Buxton to the east of the town. The A536 links the town with Macclesfield and with the A527 to Biddulph, which provides an alternative route into Stoke-on-Trent. The town does suffer from traffic congestion at peak periods especially on the A34 as it runs through the town. The town is approximately 40 minutes away from Manchester airport by car, under 20 minutes away from Macclesfield and 30 minutes from Crewe.

2.52 There are 3 Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in the town, at West Road, Lower Heath and the A34 / A54 incorporating the Clayton Bypass, Rood Lane and Rood Hill back towards the town centre roundabout. AQMAs are areas where the quality of the air is poor, due to the amount of polluting nitrogen dioxide within it. Within these areas the Council is taking action to improve the quality of the air.

2.53 There are two bus interchanges in the town. The principal one is at the Congleton Fairground Bus Station, which has three stands and another smaller facility at Congleton Railway Station. 178 bus services arrive or depart from Congleton every weekday. There are a number of bus services serving the residential areas of the town. From the bus station, routes give access to Macclesfield, Middlewich, Sandbach, Crewe, Hanley and Alsager.

2.54 Less frequent or occasional bus journeys during the week are to Knutsford, Biddulph and Leek. Bus services from Congleton also give access to the employment park at Astra Zeneca, Leighton Hospital at Crewe and the West Heath Shopping Centre.

2.55 Congleton Railway Station, managed by Northern Rail, is located on the Manchester to Stoke-on-Trent branch of the West Coast Main Line. This allows indirect access to London Euston (via Stoke-on-Trent). Other destinations served by the train station include Kidsgrove, Macclesfield, Manchester Piccadilly, Poynton, Stockport and Stoke-on-Trent. The most popular destinations accessed from Congleton in 2009/10 were Manchester, Macclesfield, Stoke-on-Trent and Stockport.

2.56 The Macclesfield Canal cuts across the south east of the town. The canal forms part of the Cheshire Ring Canal Walk. Cycling Routes in the town included as part of the National Cycle own

T Network (NCN) are the NCN 55 Congleton to Marple route, NCN 73 (Congleton to Davenham route) and NCN 70 as part of the Cheshire Cycleway. the 2.57 Congleton has 14 public car parks with 799 car parking spaces (including 17 disabled of

spaces); 3 are short stay, 11 are long stay including 7 free car parks. West Street is the largest capacity long stay car park with 159 spaces and the car park at Princess Street with 82 car spaces is the largest short stay car park. Snapshot

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16 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report Open Space and the Countryside

2.58 Congleton is situated on either side of the steep sided River Dane valley. To the west of the town is the flat farmland of the Cheshire Plain and land to the east rises to the foothills of the Peak District. Howty Brook and Dane in Shaw valleys bisect the town in a north / south direction.

2.59 The local landscape is dominated by a distinctive outcrop known as 'The Cloud' which can be seen by most parts of the town and is formed by Millstone Grit. Both 'The Cloud' and the adjoining Congleton Edge are prominent local hill and ridge features. 'The Cloud' itself forms part of the logo for the Congleton Partnership and is used for local town branding.

2.60 To the north of Congleton a large sand quarry is located at Eaton Hall. Another sand quarry is located at Bent Farm to the south west of the town.

2.61 The Congleton Moss area to the southern edge of the town is a small remnant of a what was once a large mossland area. It is now largely dried out.

2.62 There are areas at risk of flooding along the River Dane, Dane-in Shaw Brook and Loach Brook.

2.63 There are a number of community parks, greenspaces and outdoor areas in the town, including:

Astbury Mere, a Country Park on the south-western edge of the town. Around the mere is an locally important wildlife habitat of grassland and woodland. The mere is a flooded former sand quarry, part owned by the Stoke on Trent Angling Society (lake and immediate shoreline) and Astbury Mere Trust (with charitable status, managed on their behalf by Cheshire East Ranger Service). It has visitor facilities, a sail sports centre and a footpath network. Hankinson's field on the opposite side of the River Dane to Congleton Park serves as a sports field. It is associated with the activities of the Figure 2.11 Astbury Mere park. Facilities include a rugby pitch and a skate park. Other urban small parks can be found on Antrobus Street and Congleton Community Garden. Town Wood is on the northern edge of Congleton Park. This ancient and semi natural woodland is a Site of Biological Importance and an important local landmark. Westlow Mere lies to the north of the town along Giantswood Lane. It is a popular fishing

site. own T Dane-in-Shaw pasture to the east of Henshall Hall is one of the largest and most diverse areas of grassland remaining in lowland Cheshire and is designated as a Site of Special the

Scientific Interest. It has a number of pedestrian access points and links to the Biddulph Valley

Way. of

The Biddulph Valley Way is a disused railway line now used as a multi-user route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Cheshire East Council owns and manages a 3.2km length of the Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 17 Biddulph Valley Way from just outside of the town centre to the border with North Staffordshire, where the track continues to Biddulph. Congleton Park is a Green Flag award winning Victorian Park in easy walking distance of the Biddulph Valley Way (greenway which runs along the south east of the town, see below). It is also part of a wildlife corridor running along the River Dane. Identified as a listed 'Park and Garden of Historic Interest' the park has been in constant use since it opened in 1871. The park is of Victorian design and has a number of visitor facilities. The park has recently been restored thanks to a £1.5 million Heritage Lottery Grant.

Figure 2.12 Congleton Park

Macclesfield Canal runs along the eastern edge of Congleton and turns westwards cutting through the south eastern residential areas of the town. The canal connects with the Biddulph Valley Way and forms an important recreational resource for fishing, walking and leisure cruising. The River Dane, Biddulph Valley Way, Macclesfield Canal and Dane in Shaw pasture, together provide a green open space corridor in the central and eastern parts of Congleton. The Dane River Valley is designated as a Site of Biological Interest and is an important environmental resource for the town. Other Sites of Biological Interest around Congleton include Congleton Moss, Timbers Brook and Bath Vale Woods.

2.64 Other significant amenity greenspaces include:

West Road Thames Close Quinta Park Lower Heath Reades Lane own

T Balmoral Gardens

Atkin Close

the Timbersbook Picnic Area of

2.65 There are over 54 Tree Preservation Orders that seek to protect trees within the town. The towns street and park trees are an important environmental asset for the town. Snapshot

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18 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report The Built Environment

2.66 Congleton has a clearly identified commercial core within the town centre where the majority of retail, professional services and food shops are located. Other commercial areas are found at Barn Road and at West Heath Shopping Centre.

2.67 Employment and business areas are concentrated in sites in and around the town, generally on the northern outskirts of the town or in the older industrial areas near to the town centre.

2.68 Outside the town centre, the town becomes more residential in nature. The residential areas stretch to both the east and to the west of the town.

Figure 2.13 Land Use in Congleton

2.69 There are two Conservation Areas within the town centre covering the Moody Street and West Street areas. A number of Victorian and Edwardian villas in Park Lane are also designated as a Conservation Area as is the immediate environment of the Macclesfield Canal.

2.70 The Moody Street Conservation Area was designated in 1980 and the boundaries amended own T

in 1990 and 2010. The Conservation Area contains a range of styles of buildings, from timber-framed buildings of the 1600's to 1700's, to grand three-storey Georgian town houses, late nineteenth

century Gothic and late twentieth century utilitarian buildings. The Conservation Area contains a the good part of the medieval core of the town and the main street has always been what is now High of Street and Lawton Street. Many listed buildings were constructed as houses with some later converted to shops and other commercial uses. Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 19 2.71 In recent history, properties and shop units along Lawton Street and High Street have received grants made available to them to help property owners repair buildings, bring empty floorspace into use and repair and reinstate historic shop fronts as part of the Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme.

2.72 The West Street Conservation Area was designated in 1969 and the boundaries amended in 1980 and 2010. It has a mixture of buildings of different time periods dating back to the 17th Century. The main landmarks in the Conservation Area are the stone and timber-framed Lion and Swan public house and the Church of St James the Great.

2.73 The Macclesfield Canal Conservation Area was designated in 1975. The canal was completed in 1831 at a cost of £320,000 and is significant for its impact on the development of Congleton as an industrial area. Today, it is a popular leisure resource.

2.74 The railway crosses the Macclesfield Canal and the River Dane over the impressive Dane viaduct.

2.75 The Park Lane Conservation Area was designated in 1997. It is characterised by Victorian and Edwardian villa style residences in a ribbon development linking the town with the railway station.

2.76 The River Dane flows through attractive wooded valley on the outskirts of the town with large sections forming part of the flood plain of the River. Historically, there have been a number of watermills in operation along the length of the Dane at various points. Forge Mill, for example, was used for silk production. own T the of

Figure 2.14 The Town Centre Conservation Areas in Congleton Snapshot

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20 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 2.77 The town also contains:

Over 137 Listed Buildings; one of which is Grade 1 (Church of St Peter). 24 buildings on the Local List of Historic Buildings.

2.78 The Congleton Archaeological Assessment refers to Congleton as “one of Cheshire’s most important medieval towns”. In 2003, the Cheshire Historic Towns Survey established that a small amount of archaeological work had been carried out alongside a series of trenches excavated to the north of High Street (1996). This revealed medieval and post-medieval deposits. The earliest evidence of buildings came in the form of brick and stone-packed post holes, potentially timber structures of the 18th or 19th Century.

2.79 The Historic Towns Survey for Cheshire (2003) indicated that there are 3 character zones of archaeological potential, these zones are (and reflected in the figure below):

Zone 1 - Medieval Core, much of the medieval street pattern survives Zone 2 - Later Medieval Settlement which includes St Peters Church Zone 3 - Post Medieval Industrial Expansion, containing a number of former mills which have subsequently been demolished or converted to other uses. own T

Figure 2.15 Areas of Archeological Potential in Congleton the

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 21 Community Infrastructure

2.80 The term 'community infrastructure' covers a wide number of facilities and services in Congleton including education, learning and childcare; health care and social care services; leisure facilities; community safety and policing; and meeting places and places of worship.

Figure 2.16 Astbury Church

2.81 Ensuring a good range of community infrastructure provision within a town is important, to provide residents with access to necessary facilities and services. The location of community facilities in Congleton is shown in the figure below: own T the of

Figure 2.17 Community Infrastructure in Congleton Snapshot

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22 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 2.82 There is a strong feeling of community spirit within Congleton, with a number of community events held throughout the year and a significant number of active community members.

2.83 The town has the following outdoor sports facilities actively used at present:

10 adult/senior football pitches (6 municipal pitches. 5 located at Back Lane (1 pitch used as 2 mini-soccer pitches at the moment) 1 at St John's Road, 3 at CongletonHigh School, 1 at Congleton Football Club 5 junior football pitches (2 municipal and 3 at other school sites) 5 rugby pitches 2 cricket pitches (private) 1 golf course (private) 3 bowling greens (2 private, 1 municipal) 12 tennis courts 3 netball/basketball

2.84 There is a proposal in the Congleton Local Plan for the provision of additional pitch facilities adjoining the Back Lane playing fields, although this has not taken place (Proposal DP5).

2.85 Facilities for Children and Teenagers include the following:

11 playgrounds 1 basketball court 2 youth/teenage shelters 4 kickabouts 1 skatepark 1 paddling pool

2.86 There are three allotment sites in Congleton at Hilary Avenue, Colehill Bank and Moody Street.

2.87 The emerging Open Space study for Cheshire East has identified a shortfall in the amount of children's play space and a shortage of allotment facilities in the town.

2.88 Congleton Park and Hankinson Field are central multi-use sites that serve the whole of Congleton. St Johns Road Playing Fields is also a large multi-use site. Other sites that act as small neighbourhood parks include Quinta Park, Atkin Close, West Road, Lower Heath Playing Field, Thames Close, Bromley Farm and Reades Lane.

2.89 Congleton Leisure Centre on Worrall Street has a number of facilities which include:

A 25m swimming pool; A multi-purpose sports hall; Squash courts;

Dance studio; own T Everybody fitness suite; Sauna. the

2.90 A Sailsports Centre and an Angling Club is based at Astbury Mere. of

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 23 2.91 All schools in Cheshire East are clustered into voluntary partnerships known as Education Improvement partnerships (EIP). Each EIP covers a discrete area, and seeks to develop an integrated approach to delivering children's services and ultimately to achieving better outcomes for younger people. Congleton is situated within an EIP area, which covers surrounding parishes of Astbury and Scholar Green and so on.

2.92 There are 14 primary schools in the town and 2 secondary schools. Congleton High School and Eaton Bank High School are the two secondary schools and both have sixth form facilities. Based on current projections there are sufficient school places in the area to meet demand over the next 5 years although the anticipated surplus is low. In particular, there is pressure on individual schools, which is being kept under review. There are no tertiary or higher education universities in the town.

2.93 There are 3 doctor surgeries within Congleton and a community hospital at the Congleton War Memorial Hospital, which opened in 1924. The hospital is managed by the East Cheshire NHS Trust. The hospital has a 28-bed unit which treats patients needing rehabilitation, palliative care for a period of one to six weeks. The hospital does not have an A&E department but does have a minor injuries clinic.

2.94 There are 5 dental surgeries, 7 pharmacies, 3 opticians in the town.

2.95 The police station is located at Market Square. There is an ambulance station on Manchester Road and a fire station on West Road.

2.96 There are plans to develop a new Lifestyle Centre for Congleton, that will provide leisure, library and some social care facilities.

2.97 Congleton has a town museum adjacent to the Town Hall, established in 2002 it is dedicated to the town's industrial history. There is an art gallery at the Victoria Mills Art Centre. The Daneside Theatre on Park Road is an independently run 300 seat venue and an occasional cinema.

2.98 Congleton Library which is located on Market Street provides various services and facilities including a Customer Service Point, computers, meeting room. A Registrar Service is available on a Wednesday and a Friday morning and the Credit Union is based at the Library on a Saturday.

2.99 There are over 20 Places of Worship in the town including St John's, Wellspring Methodist, Holy Trinity (Church of England), United Reformed, Congleton Penecostal, St Mary (Church of England), St Peter's, St Stephens, Trinity Methodist, St James (Church of England).

2.100 The Town Hall dating from 1866 is situated on the High Street. Based within the Hall is the Town Council and associated Congleton Partnership. There is also an award winning Tourist Information Centre and the base of Congleton Community Projects. own T the of

Figure 2.18 Congleton Town Hall Snapshot

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24 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 2.101 The town has recently been successful with an award of £250,000 of European Funding through the Rural Carbon Challenge Fund to build a hydro scheme at the Old Weir on the River Dane. The hydro scheme will deliver low carbon electricity and the profits of selling the electricity will be utilised for other energy saving initiatives. The Dane Renewable Energy Project Group assessed the Old Weir to establish its suitability for the scheme. It is planned that the scheme will be operational early in 2012. A Community Enterprise is to be created in order that the earnings from selling the electricity will fund energy efficiency projects around the town.

2.102 The town itself is very active in developing community led projects, a recent example is the apple juice project where residents of Congleton are encouraged to grow and donate apples which is then made into apple juice and sold. The proceeds of this scheme are reinvested into sustainable projects. own T

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 25 To Sum Up...

3.1 Some of the challenges for Congleton are as follows. What else should be added to this list?

Housing

Congleton is likely to need between 920 - 3,520 new homes by 2030. House prices in the town are currently below the Cheshire East average. Despite this, there are a number of local people who cannot afford to purchase their own home and enter onto the property market. There is a need for 33 affordable dwellings each year in Congleton, particularly for family homes. There is a lower proportion of people under the age of 26 (especially the age ranges of 10-24) and a higher proportion of residents over the age of 55, compared to the Cheshire East average.

Economy

The working age population is slightly lower than the average for Cheshire East. A number of residents have to travel outside of the local area to work. There is very little land available for new employment development in the town.

Town Centre

The town centre has a vacancy rate of 20% compared to the Cheshire East average of 12% and the national average of 13.9%.

Transport

Congleton suffers from traffic congestion during peak travel times.

Open Space and the Countryside

There are areas at risk of flooding along the River Dane, Dane-in-Shaw Brook and Loach Brook. There are a number of Air Quality Management Areas in the Town.

Built Environment

The town has a rich architectural and archaeological heritage which needs to be conserved and enhanced.

Community Infrastructure

There are shortages of the amount of children's play space and allotment facilities in the town. Up...

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26 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report Appendix A: Glossary of Terms

Affordable Housing Affordable housing covers a range of housing types and tenures. It includes social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, provided to eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. Affordable housing should meet the needs of eligible households including availability at a cost low enough for them to afford, determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices. It should include provision for the home to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households or, if these restrictions are lifted, for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision. Allocated An allocated site is one that has been identified for development through the planning process. Existing allocated sites in Cheshire East are those identified within the three former authority Local Plans. Future site allocations will be made within the Core Strategy and Site Allocations Development Plan Documents. Annual Monitoring The Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) forms part of the Local Report Development Framework. The purpose of the report is to:

Provide a profile of the Borough of information and key trends; Identify the effects of planning policies on social, environmental and economic outputs; Help determine the extent to which objectives, targets and programmes are being met; Inform and guide future plans and policies; and Monitor the extent to which the timetable set out in the Local Development Scheme is being met.

Combined Heat and CHP is the use of a power generator to simultaneously generate Power (CHP) electricity and useful heat, to provide hot water for example in a district heating system. Community Community infrastructure is the basic facilities, services, and Infrastructure installations needed for the functioning of a community or society. Community infrastructure includes community buildings and halls, leisure facilities, education services, healthcare facilities and renewable energy installations. Comparison Retail Non-food retailing, e.g. clothes, electrical goods, furniture etc. Conservation Area An area considered worthy of preservation or enhancement because of its special architectural or historic interest. Convenience Retail Food retailing. Core Strategy The Core Strategy will set the strategic spatial planning framework for how Cheshire East will develop in the future. Its vision, objectives and strategic policies are overarching and form the basis for the whole LDF. District Heating A system for distributing heat generated in a central location for example in a combined heat and power plant. Appendices

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 27 Green Infrastructure The network of natural environmental components and green and blue spaces that lies within and between cities, towns and villages which provides multiple social, economic and environmental benefits. Green Infrastructure is the region's life support system. Habitats Regulations The Habitats Regulations Assessment process is intended to describe Assessment and evaluate the likely significant effects of implementing a policy document on Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation and Ramsar sites, taking into account the document‟s objectives and geographical scope. It is required to ensure that the document will not individually or cumulatively impact on the Natura 2000 network. Index of Multiple The IMD measures the level of deprivation of an area down to the Deprivation (IMD) Lower Super Output Area level. Jobs Density The number of jobs per working age person in a given area. Listed Building A building or structure that has been placed on English Heritage's Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. Listed Buildings may not be demolished or altered without permission from the local planning authority. There are three grades of listing: Grade I (buildings of exceptional interest); Grade II* (particularly important buildings of more than special interest); and Grade II (nationally important buildings of special interest). Local Development A folder of documents that will outline the development plan for Framework (LDF) Cheshire East. This sets out the planning policies used when determining planning applications. Locally Listed Building Locally listed buildings are listed by the Council in addition to English Heritage's Statutory List for buildings that are of local importance. There is no statutory protection for buildings on the local list. Lower Super Output A set of geographical areas developed by the Office for National Area (LSOA) Statistics to enable data to be analysed at a very local level. They typically have a population of around 1,500 people. Ramsar Site Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, designated under the Ramsar Convention.

Scheduled Ancient A SAM is a nationally scheduled (protected) structure of special historic Monument (SAM) interest or significance, ranging from a earthworks to ruins to buried remains. Section 106 Agreement A legal agreement relating to monies paid by developers to the Council (s106) in order to offset the costs of the external effects of development, for example to fund new school places, provide new green spaces or improve a road layout. Site Allocations The Site Allocations document is part of the LDF and will contain land Document allocations and detailed policies and proposals to deliver and guide the future use of this land. Site of Biological A SBI is a local non-statutory designation to protect locally valued sites Importance (SBI) of biodiversity. Appendices

28 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report Site of Special Scientific A SSSI is an area with statutory protection of national importance for Interest (SSSI) its special interest, which may be due to its fauna, flora, geological or geomorphological features. Special Area of SACs are areas which have been given special protection under the Conservation (SAC) European Union’s Habitats Directive. They provide increased protection to a variety of wild animals, plants and habitats and are a vital part of global efforts to conserve the world’s biodiversity.

Special Protection Area SPAs are areas which have been identified as being of international (SPA) importance for the breeding, feeding, wintering or the migration of rare and vulnerable species of birds found within European Union countries. They are European designated sites, classified under the ‘Birds Directive 1979’ which provides enhanced protection given by the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status all SPAs also hold.

Strategic Environmental SEA is a method of ensuring that policies, plans and programmes Assessment (SEA) incorporate environmental considerations and is required under an EU Directive. This will be incorporated into the Sustainability Appraisal. Strategic Housing Land The SHLAA is is a key component of the evidence base to support the Availability Assessment delivery of sufficient land for housing; to meet the community’s need (SHLAA) for more homes; and to inform housing policy within the Cheshire East Local Development Framework. Strategic Housing This is a study that assesses the local housing markets and need for Market Assessment housing in the area. (SHMA) Sustainability Appraisal Sustainability Appraisal is a process that identifies and reports on the (SA) likely effects of a plan, and the extent to which the plan's implementation will impact upon the environmental, social and economic objectives for an area. Transition Town An initiative to prepare communities for a low carbon future VAT Registered A measure of businesses in an area as you are only able to register Businesses for VAT purposes if you're in business. Appendices

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report 29 Appendix B: References

Author Document Date Population Cheshire Constabulary Cheshire Constabulary Crime Records 2009 Cheshire East Council Settlement Study 2010 DCLG Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007 Office of National Census 2001 Statistics Housing Cheshire East Council Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2010 Cheshire East Council Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment 2010 Cheshire East Council Annual Monitoring Report 2010 Cheshire East Council Housing Monitoring Database Unpublished Economy Office of National Annual Business Inquiry 2008 Statistics Office of National Census 2001 Statistics Cheshire East Council Draft Local Economic Assessment Unpublished Office of National Claimant Count 2010 / 2011 Statistics Town Centre Cheshire East Council Shopping Surveys 2010 Cheshire East Council Annual Monitoring Report 2010 Cheshire East Council Cheshire Retail Study Update 2011 Congleton Town Council Congleton Town Centre Plan, Taylor Young 2008 Congleton Town Council Congleton Town Guide 2010 - 2012 2010 Congleton Town Council Congleton Town Council Website 2011 Transport Cheshire East Council Transport Baseline Data Report 2010 Cheshire East Council Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2011 Cheshire East Council Local Transport Plan 2011 Cheshire East Council Car Parks Town by Town 2011 Cheshire East Council Cycle Routes in Cheshire 2011 Sustrans Cheshire Cycle Routes 2011 Cheshire East Council Bus Timetables 2011 Cheshire East Council Train Timetables 2011 Open Space and the Countryside Cheshire East Council Cheshire Landscape Character Assessment 2007 Cheshire East Council Open Spaces Database Unpublished Cheshire East Council Green Infrastructure Framework for North East Wales, Cheshire and2011 Wirral Cheshire East Council Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas 2011 The Built Environment English Heritage Heritage Gateway 2011 Cheshire East Council Local List of Historic Buildings Supplementary Planning Document 2010 Cheshire County Council Cheshire Historic Towns Survey, Congleton Archaeological 2003 and English Heritage Assessment Cheshire East Council Conservation Area Appraisal 2011 Community Infrastructure Cheshire East Council Leisure, Culture and Tourism 2011 Cheshire East Council Infrastructure Study Unpublished Renewable Energy Cheshire East Council Climate Change and Renewables Study 2011 Appendices

30 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Congleton Snapshot Report

Cheshire East Council Planning and Housing Service, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, CW11 1HZ www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ldf email: [email protected] Tel: 01270 685893

Issues and Options Paper