1. - Planning for a Sustainable Future

Cheshire East Council is charged with Core Strategy Options consultation preparing its Development Plan to guide undertaken from November 2010, with housing and other growth over the period higher options looking at 1,350 and 1,600 to 2030. The Council intends to publish its additional dwellings annually. The Preferred Options for both an overarching Council has explained that the evidence Core Strategy and more detailed Site of household formation projections by the Allocations document for public Government for East justifies at comment in the second half of 2012. least the middle option and, if the sub- regional economic growth strategy is to The Core Strategy will establish the overall be delivered, then the high housing housing growth requirement and growth option would need to be taken strategic policies for employment areas forward. and job growth, key infrastructure and significantly how development needs In all of these scenarios, in the options should be distributed across Cheshire being considered by the Council in East. This will include statements about November 2010, Nantwich will be Nantwich’s role and how much required to accommodate new development should be delivered. peripheral housing growth given its Nantwich is recognised as a Key Service location on the A500/A51 corridor, its Centre settlement where new services base and its economic potential. development can be sustainably delivered. Mosaic Estates and Reaseheath College have reviewed the Nantwich Young The Council is currently undertaking a Persons’ Group response to the Cheshire series of consultations and assessments as East Local Development Framework part of a Place Shaping process, where Consultation. The Group was concerned workshops and exhibitions have been that facilities for younger people were held in each major centre in the Borough. designed in from the outset and that new That process, together with other developments have a mix of uses with evidence, will be used to help make good linkages and integration to the town recommendations and decisions on what and to the countryside. is the right spatial strategy for the Borough as a whole and also for the individual Land to the North West of Nantwich towns and their environs. between Waterlode and A51 offers a sustainable opportunity to address the The Council is currently reviewing the development needs of the area. This evidence of overall housing needs. It is exhibition provides background currently working to an annual housing information about the area and illustrates requirement of 1,150 new dwellings over the benefits of development both for the period to 2030. However, this equates Reaseheath College and, particularly for to the low level option identified in the Nantwich.

To inspire individuals, communities and rural businesses by delivering “ world class education and skills accessible to all” 2. Reaseheath College, Nantwich

Employs over 500 staff

Contributes £24.5m to local economy

Doubled size in past 5 years

OFSTED inspection - “Good with Outstanding Features in all areas”

£30m investment since 2006

Further £20m planned investment

Government capital grant withdrawn in August 2009

Development of North West Nantwich* extension to replace funding source

*North West Nantwich extension has been identified in the local planning arena for the past 10 years as a potential location for additional housing and riverside park

To inspire individuals, communities and rural businesses by delivering “ world class education and skills accessible to all” 3. How We’re Funding The Expansion?

The college land is part of a proposal put forward by Jennings in the late 1990’s, following on from the receipt of planning consent on Kingsley Fields and the construction of the Weaver Bridge. The initial proposal was submitted as part of the Local Plan but, at that time, the inspector felt Nantwich as a town needed to be ‘rested’ following the development of Cronkinson Farm & Kingsley Fields. It has been 5 years since the completion of these developments and the argument that the need for a rest has we believe now passed. The development of this land will benefit not only the college in allowing the proposed expansion of facilities, but also the Town of Nantwich by: • Incorporating a relief road on the A51 around The Green - originally proposed by Cheshire County Council • Providing a new distributor road through the development between Waterlode and the A51 • Reducing traffic in Town Centre & under the Aqueduct as well as around the Showground • Reducing traffic past existing school access • Delivering new homes allowing Nantwich to maintain its growth & position as a desirable area to live

To inspire individuals, communities and rural businesses by delivering “ world class education and skills accessible to all” 4. The Benefits - Reaseheath College

• Ability to invest income from land sales to secure future of the college through completing the agreed master plan of specialist facilities and resources, which include: • Sports centre and specialist playing surfaces • Business starter units linked to the colleges specialism • Removal of student pressure on residential accommodation in Nantwich Town • Social, recreational and dining hub • Specialist learning difficulties facility • Schools and Countryside education centre • Specialist centre for horticulture and sustainable food production • Secure the employment of over 500 staff

• Improved access to the College, increasing safety for staff and students

• Removal of all non-college traffic from access

• Separate access from A51

• Safe movement between College & the Equine Centre

To inspire individuals, communities and rural businesses by delivering “ world class education and skills accessible to all” 5. The Benefits - Nantwich Town

• Delivery of the Riverside Walk & conservation area between A51 & Waterlode • Realignment of A51 around The Green and a contribution towards proposals to improve the Burford crossroads • Removal of traffic passing high risk areas • Receive benefit of significant road improvements without funding issues • Expansion of town in controlled way • A leading centre for sustainability and low carbon food production • Ability to invest income from land sales to secure future of the college through completing the campus re-development of specialist facilities & resources • Delivery of new homes allowing sustainable growth • 24 acres for Equine Management • Removal of student pressure on residential accommodation in Nantwich Town • Provide community access to new sports complex • Allocation of 4 acres employment land for potential employers of Reaseheath students • Provide a newly built primary school and play facilities within the development • 1100 new homes, including affordable homes up to 2030

To inspire individuals, communities and rural businesses by delivering “ world class education and skills accessible to all” 6. Reaseheath College - Re-Development Master Plan

Reaseheath College master plan: • Aboriculture & countryside • Horticulture • Foundation learners practical unit • Entry/Pre-Entry learners facility • Equestrian learner welfare facilities • Infrastructure improvements • Student residential accommodation • Student hub • Sports centre • All-Weather sports pitches • Employment starter units

The benefits to the local community will include: • A51 improvements and new link from Waterlode to A51 • Business development • Modern indoor & outdoor sports facilities • Associated employment opportunities • Better traffic management • Riverside walk

To inspire individuals, communities and rural businesses by delivering “ world class education and skills accessible to all” 7. Site Assessments & Constraints

Site Location Landscape Analysis The site is generally bounded by Welshman’s Lane in the west, the In particular, consideration has been given to the landscape character A51 Road in the north, the and the urban area of the area and the important features which should be respected and to the east, and Waterlode and Kingsley Fields development and protected. The plan below presents graphically the Landscape Analysis the recreation uses of Malbank School and the Football Club to the that has been undertaken which identifies the location of important south. features and designations including the Conservation Area covering the College and The Green in the north, the River Weaver floodplain, In formulating development proposals for the area, Mosaic Estates the hedgerow structure within the site and the extent of the Registered has worked closely with Reaseheath College and has liaised with Historic Battlefield to the west of Welshman’s Lane beyond the outer various departments at Cheshire boundary of the site. East to understand the constraints and opportunities The topography of the area has also been considered, noting the site is which apply. less undulating and with larger field sizes to the west. Henhull Hall Farm is located within the site on the western boundary and the site of The development proposals the buildings and their immediate environs can continue to be served avoid the River Weaver off the existing access on Welshman’s Lane in respect of the current Floodplain and the Registered character of the area. Historic Nantwich Battlefield which is located to the west of Welshman’s Lane provides an effective and defensible outer boundary Welshman’s Lane. to the town.

Landscape Analysis 8. Site Assessments & Constraints

Access and Transport A key aspect of creating a sustainable new community is to ensure it is effectively integrated with the existing settlement and new infrastructure is provided which complements the existing situation and addresses the impacts of new development. An analysis has been made of the existing local facilities and sustainable transport provision in west Nantwich which is shown on the plan [Figure 1.1] The site practically adjoins Nantwich Town Centre and enjoys direct pedestrian, cycle and road links which can be enhanced in conjunction with the development.

Access Strategy The site can deliver two significant road improvements in the area at no public cost: • Realignment of A51 Chester Road to bypass The Green • New link west of Nantwich between A51 and Waterlode The development would be served from these roads which will provide excellent links to the wider road network. No new development would Access & Transport - Figure 1.1 be served off Welshman’s Lane other than suitable expansion of the Henhull Hall Farm complex. The current A51 will be replaced by a new link road and the existing A51 route re- designed to incorporate a proposed restricted access through The Green [Figure 1.2].

Sustainable Transport Opportunities The new north/south road route can support a public transport corridor serving new residential development to the east and west as part of a western loop service as illustrated on the Access Strategy diagram (Figure 1.2). A comprehensive network of pedestrian and cycle routes can also be integrated within the development proposals, following key desire lines through the area and using existing rights of way. There are existing pedestrian bridge crossings over the River Weaver which will allow excellent integration between the town and the proposed development and new riverside park. Cycle facilities exist at Waterlode to the south and the Connect2 network is located East of the River Weaver with which new routes can be safely linked. The local secondary school adjoins the site at Malbank and a site has been identified within the proposed development for a new primary school to serve the development, as advised by the education authority. The detailed masterplan will ensure that safe and convenient routes to the local schools are available from the outset of the Access Strategy - Figure 1.2 development. 9. Site Assessments & Constraints

Social and Green Infrastructure RPS and Mosaic Estates have consulted Cheshire East Council on the education, health, economic development, green infrastructure as well as the transport needs of potential development in this location. It has been confirmed that: • The existing Town Centre medical centre has capacity to serve a proposed development of up to 1,100 dwellings – making more efficient use of existing infrastructure • The secondary and sixth form school capacity also exists to serve the development in close proximity to the site • A new primary school will be needed as there are limited spare places in local schools • In accordance with Reaseheath College’s strategy, the provision of starter and ‘grow-on’ business units will complement more strategic employment growth areas at Basford and Wardle • A new Riverside Park should be established • A Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play should be provided • Consideration should be given to an area of allotments • Open spaces should be located to protect and respect existing mature trees and hedgerows • Key new pedestrian and cycle connections should be integrated within the open space network Affordable Housing It is proposed that the development will deliver new affordable housing in accordance with the Cheshire East policy requirements having regard to the evidence of needs locally in terms of type and tenure. The detailed mix, type and location will be the subject of further discussion once the principle of development has been established. However, the intention will be that properties should be ‘tenure blind’ and new affordable homes effectively integrated within the overall development.

To inspire individuals, communities and rural businesses by delivering “ world class education and skills accessible to all” 10. Landscape Principles

Landscape - Principles New Planting Several principles have been identified from the landscape analysis which have informed the masterplanning of the site: • Design main road corridors to include potential for planting of larger tree species Riverside • Use appropriate buffer areas and planting between new • Retention of the Riverside area as an important local residential areas and adjoining uses landscape resource Design Opportunities • Enhance connections to the Riverside area • Orientate new streets and spaces to provide views of • Sensitive integration of new residential development edge local landmarks, e.g. St Mary’s Church spire with the riverside area avoiding a hard or harsh transition • Set residential frontages back from Welshman’s Lane, Trees and Hedgerows using private drives and preserving the hedge • Retention of existing informal hedgerows where possible • Use green routes for pedestrian and cycle movements and seek to maintain wildlife corridors across the area • Integrate play spaces with green routes where appropriate • Retain mature notable trees – especially the Oaks • Provide public realm spaces at focal points immediately north of the football ground and adjacent the riverside area • Provide access to wider countryside linking into existing rights of way 11. Indicative Masterplan

An indicative Concept Masterplan has been prepared which has drawn on the extensive constraints analysis work and the land use opportunities that have been identified. The plan shows the proposed alignment of the new A51 route from the Beam Bridge roundabout westwards to the existing Chester Road, east of Holly Farm and the new link proposed from Waterlode by the Nantwich Town Football Club to the new A51. A new access link from the central site roundabout is proposed to The proposals seek to deliver many key local objectives which will serve existing properties on the bypassed section of the Chester Road benefit the local community: at The Green as well as the new employment area for small and growing businesses which can ‘spin off’ from the technological • A Riverside Park research and learning at Reaseheath College. • Traffic Relief for The Green and the Conservation Area A new housing area is proposed of some 1,100 dwellings supported • A new western distributor road for the town easing movement by a small local centre and a new primary school. The local centre to the A500 and A51 corridors would provide a local retail unit to serve the new development and potentially other facilities, for example a children’s nursery or • Major investment for Reaseheath College pub/restaurant. • Business space for new start ups, spinning off from A substantial area of Green Infrastructure is proposed which will Reaseheath College initiatives have extensive public access. This includes the proposed Riverside • Extensive new affordable housing within a Park, neighbourhood children’s play area, green corridors and comprehensively planned new community supported allotments. In addition, an extensive area will remain as pasture by social and green infrastructure and integrated associated with the Reaseheath College Equestrian Centre in the effectively with the town centre and neighbouring areas north eastern part of the land. The proposals provide an attractive green corridor route from the town through the development linking to the public footpath leading west from Welshman’s Lane to the . Given the traffic flows on the A51, it is proposed that a segregated crossing will be provided under the road to allow pedestrian and cycle movements safely under the road. 12. RESPONSE TO DEC 2011 CONSULTATION

Mosaic Estates, Reaseheath College and RPS The riverside park has been broadly supported and Planning and Development have received 32 written several local people and groups have expressed an responses from people who had attended the interest in collaborating over its design and potential exhibition on 10th December 2011 or viewed the future management. There would appear to be merit material on-line. A separate presentation was given in forming a forum group, expressly focused on this to Nantwich Civic Society on 20 December 2011 which aspect of the proposals, taking advantage of local led to one of the 32 responses from that body. knowledge and interest in this.

The comments raised a number of issues, with Draft area proposals prepared on behalf of and transport issues being of greatest interest. As a Nantwich Borough Council prepared in 2007 are consequence, Mosaic Estates and RPS has met again presented below. with Cheshire East Highways Officers to discuss the transport strategy for the proposed development in the light of comments that had been raised through the consultation. The Masterplan has been revised to take into account these issues and concerns. Transport Issues are addressed on the next exhibition board.

A second matter which has been commonly raised concerns the need for further development at Nantwich. This concern is understandable, but it is clear from the demographic evidence identified by Cheshire East Council that there is a need for housing growth at a strategic scale across the District, including at Nantwich.

Cheshire East Council has been clear to state that the growth agenda should not however be focused only on housing provision and integration with employment growth and new infrastructure is essential. North West Nantwich will deliver extensive new infrastructure including roads, green space, recreation areas and a primary school. Employment opportunities are being created on site in the form of business starter units associated with Reaseheath College led innovation, a new business park proposed at Wardle and the strategic opportunities being created in the A500 corridor at Basford.

A third issue concerns achieving sustainable development standards. At masterplanning level, the proposals seek to encourage non-car travel through the inclusion of local facilities within the proposals and provide attractive, convenient and safe pedestrian and cycle routes to the town centre, college and other key local destinations. Further work will be done on the most appropriate option for energy supplies for the proposed development. The detailed sustainable construction issues will be addressed at Draft Riverside Area Proposal the architectural design stage of the project.

To inspire individuals, communities and rural businesses by delivering “ world class education and skills accessible to all 13. RESPONSE TO DEC 2011 CONSULTATION

Several comments have referred to the provision of A number of respondents have identified the Burford allotments. For the avoidance of doubt, there is no A51 junction as a priority for improvement in the Core proposal to affect the existing allotment area on Strategy Plan period. The Highway Authority has Welshman’s Lane next to the site. There are proposals, indicated that it would be appropriate for the however, to provide an area of new allotments next to development of North West Nantwich to contribute the existing area to be available to residents of the towards the improvement but that it would not be a new development and wider town. requirement on the development to deliver the scheme. RPS understands that the proposed The phasing of development has been raised. This is employment land allocation at Wardle would under consideration with progression from south to similarly be required to contribute towards this north considered broadly most appropriate, albeit improvement. One solution could be that Community with construction traffic using a haul route off A51. It is Infrastructure Levy proceeds from development across agreed that the A51 and north-south link should be Cheshire East could contribute towards this constructed during the early development phases in improvement. accordance with an agreed development As part of proposed measures to improve the A51 programme secured through the grant of planning corridor, it is proposed to close the northern section of permission. Welshman’s Lane and to divert traffic on the lane through the development area. This will reduce the The capacity of the site has also been questioned, number of turning vehicles on A51 at the western referring to previous proposals for 550 and 750 edge of the site, improving traffic flows and safety in dwellings compared with 1,100 new homes in the this location. recent consultation. The change to 1,100 dwellings relates to the inclusion of all the developable land east of Welshman’s Lane in the proposals in addition to the land previously promoted by Mosaic North-South Link Road (A51 to Waterlode) Estates/Jennings Estates through the last Crewe & Inconsistent responses have been received over how Nantwich Borough Local Plan review. The capacity of the A51 to Waterlode north-south link road should 1,100 dwellings represents a medium to low density function through the development. This has also been proposal compared with the forms of development discussed with the Highway Authority’s officers. It has provided at Kingsley Fields where the policy pressure been agreed with the Highway Authority that the at the time sought much higher densities involving a design approach for the new link road should be to significant proportion of apartments. create a residential distributor road, rather than a ‘relief road’ whose primary purpose is to carry through traffic. Accordingly, it is not necessary to encourage higher speeds but rather to design a through route Transport Masterplan Changes with 30mph traffic, recognising its residential A51 Corridor environment. The main changes relate to the need for A51 It is agreed with the Highway Authority that the improvements. It has been confirmed that the character of the southern section up to the northern realignment of A51 around The Green is necessary side of the football club should be similar to that of and desirable. The detailed alignment of the new Waterlode to the south, i.e. a wider corridor with road and size of the proposed round-about have been segregated roadside cycle path. Once the road amended to agreed standards. The minimum radius reaches the community hub, in the centre of the for curves on the A51 is achieved of 225m. The development, the character of the road will change to inscribed circle diameter (ICD) for the new be a tighter corridor with a clearly residential roundabout is a minimum of 40m, for which a buffer environment where the design will encourage lower area has been set aside if this were needed to increase speeds. in future design considerations. The new road design is shown on the Masterplan.

To inspire individuals, communities and rural businesses by delivering “ world class education and skills accessible to all 14. RESPONSE TO DEC 2011 CONSULTATION

Pedestrian and Cycle Links The revised masterplan shows a 30m wide green As shown on the Masterplan, the development will corridor on the edge of the development which will include a network of footpaths and cycleways through allow scope for new planting and the creation of an the site to encourage sustainable modes of transport, attractive planned edge to the town in this location. which will provide convenient links to the adjoining areas and town centre, and link up to the existing path It is proposed that properties will front out to on the adjacent countryside to the west of Welshman’s Welshman’s Lane and private drives and front Lane. gardens will lead to even greater separation of properties from the lane. The cycle routes will link with the Connect2 cycle route which runs along the A530 between Crewe and The green network has also been expanded to Nantwich, starting close to the eastern edge of the site include the existing footpath in the south west corner to which convenient access can be gained across of the site adjacent to the proposed allotments existing bridges over the River Weaver. extension area.

A new east-west pedestrian/cycle link has been Other Masterplan Changes included to link with the Welshman’s Lane buffer route Several respondents have welcomed the green south of Henhull Hall Farm where an off road northern corridors proposed through the development extension of the existing footpath is proposed. including the new east-west route proposed to link up with the existing footpath westwards from Welshman’s The realignment of the A51 diversion and Lane to the canal towpath. repositioning of the roundabout junction with the north-south link has altered the configuration of the However, comments have also been made seeking a employment land but has retained an area of some more significant landscaped green edge to the 1.63ha (4ac) with good visibility from A51. development adjacent to Welshman’s Lane.

Reaseheath College and Mosaic Estates are inviting the local community to submit their views on this exhibition proposal for a Sustainable Urban Extension to Nantwich to the North West of the town.

Your views will assist in developing the design of the Masterplan proposals for the site incorporating potentially further or different community needs.

Feedback forms are provided and can be posted in the box, or returned at a more convenient time using the address provided by 23rd March 2012.

Responses can also be made by email to: [email protected]

We look forward to receiving your comments and thank you for your attendance.

To inspire individuals, communities and rural businesses by delivering “ world class education and skills accessible to all