Cheshire East Local Development Framework

Place Shaping Consultation

Middlewich Snapshot July 2011

Foreword 2 1 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 Housing 9 Economy 10 Town Centre 12 Transport 13 Open Space and the Countryside 14 The Built Environment 15 Community Infrastructure 22 3 To Sum Up... 25

Appendices

A Glossary of Terms 28 B References 31 Contents

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Snapshot Report 1 Foreword

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 Middlewich Snapshot Report 1 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 , and and . 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, .

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 Middlewich 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 Middlewich 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 Middlewich 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 Middlewich 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 Middlewich Snapshot Report 7 2 A Snapshot of the Town

Middlewich, one of the 3 Cheshire 'Wich Towns', is a salt town in the west of the Borough with a population of 13,390. It lies to the north of Crewe and has a boundary with Cheshire West and , is close to the towns of , , Crewe and Sandbach, as well as being just over 2 miles from junction 18 of the M6 motorway. Middlewich lies on the confluence of 3 rivers: the Rivers Dane, Croco and Wheelock. Three canals, the Shropshire Union, Trent and Mersey and the Wardle (the shortest canal in the UK) also pass through Middlewich, as well as 3 major roads the A533, A54 and A530.

Figure 2.1 Location of Middlewich 2.1 The origins of the town are thought to be pre-Roman and the town has a long archaeological and conservation history that has shaped its development through the years. At the time of the 2003 Cheshire Historic Towns Survey, there were 138 sites of archaeological importance recognised in the town.

2.2 It was the Romans who gave the town the name 'Salinae' because of its surrounding salt st own deposits. A Roman settlement, possibly centred on King Street, was probably occupied from the 1 T century AD to around AD 400. During the Medieval Period, Middlewich suffered devastation at the hands of the Normans, and was destroyed by fire in 1281. the

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8 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report Housing

2.3 There are nearly 6,000 homes within Middlewich, and of these, a high proportion are detached properties. There is also a mix of bungalows, terraced and semi-detached houses and modern purpose built flats.

2.4 Middlewich is likely to need between 460 - 1,600 new homes by 2030. Studies have indicated that there is a need for a range of house types, sizes and tenures.

2.5 Although house prices within the town are below the Cheshire East average, there remains a Figure 2.2 Percentage of Houses by Type significant proportion of residents in the town who cannot afford to purchase their own home.

2.6 The Cheshire East Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2010) identifies a shortfall of 56 affordable homes over each of the next 5 years within Middlewich. There is a particular shortfall of affordable homes with 3 bedrooms.

2.7 On average there have been 55 new homes built per year in Middlewich over the last 5 year period. The main housing developments in the town during the period have been at Finney’s Lane, East Road, Princess Figure 2.3 New Housing Development Crescent and Centurion Way.

2.8 Middlewich has a predominantly young population, with the highest proportion of children and people of working age of all the towns within Cheshire East. It also has the lowest proportion of residents over the age of sixty five.

2.9 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 own T make sure that sufficient affordable housing is provided for people who cannot afford to the

purchase market housing. of

Figure 2.4 Age Structure Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 9 Economy

2.10 Since Roman times Middlewich has been an important centre for salt extraction. This is still the case today, with British Salt (now part of TATA Chemicals) being an important employer in the town. In earlier years the town was also known for its production of Cheshire cheese, silk, and for its agricultural industry.

2.11 Many familiar food products have historically manufactured and packaged their products in Middlewich, such as Cerebos, Saxa and Bisto. However, following the purchase of the RHM group by Premier Foods, the factory Figure 2.5 British Salt in the south-east of the town was closed in November 2008 with the loss of several hundred jobs.

2.12 With the decline in manufacturing in the town towards the end of the 20th Century, there was a need to find a new economic future for the town. Development of the Midpoint 18 Industrial Park on the eastern edge of the town commenced in the early 1980s. This is one of the largest developments of its kind in the North West, creating to date between 2,000 and 2,500 jobs, and delivering an investment value approaching £100m. It is a 182 hectare mixed use site comprising offices, manufacturing and storage and distribution businesses.

2.13 Located close to junction 18 of the M6 motorway, Midpoint Figure 2.6 Midpoint 18 18 is a regionally important employment park and is well placed to serve and take advantage of the North West and the Midlands economy.

2.14 Although having planning permission, Phase 3 of Midpoint 18 is still undeveloped. This next stage of development will cover the former Centura Foods and New Farm site, and land to the east of the railway line. The site will be developed to provide various employment, and appropriate leisure and tourism uses. The development of the site will be dependent upon the completion of the final section of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass, for which a package of funding is currently being sought. Completion of phase 3 could deliver over 2,000 jobs.

Figure 2.7 Centura Food Site 2.15 Midpoint 18 has recently seen the closure of the truck manufacturer ERF. This brought to an end nearly 70 years of ERF manufacturing in the locality and resulted in the loss of several hundred jobs. In June 2010, Tesco closed its regional distribution centre on the site resulting in a loss of more than 400 jobs. own T

2.16 However, today, the 32,794 square metre former ERF unit is now home to Kuehne and Nagel, who since November 2010 have used it to serve its FIAT parts distribution contract. the

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10 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 2.17 Elsewhere within Middlewich there are a number of other sites for small and medium employers. Brooks Lane Industrial Estate is located to the south-east of the town centre and King Street Trading Estate on the northern edge of the town.

2.18 Brooks Lane Industrial Estate is a 6 hectare site, containing a mixture of older and modern purpose built units providing a range of employment uses, many in need of modernisation. There are a number of units suitable for start up businesses, as well as larger units and plots suitable for established businesses that are land intensive. Figure 2.8 Brooks Lane Industrial Estate 2.19 King Street Trading Estate located on the northern edge of the town provides employment premises for a range of employment uses, with premises suitable for start up businesses as well those that are established and require large premises with large amounts of operational land.

2.20 In addition to manufacturing and distribution, the town has over the past 10-15 years capitalised on its heritage and canal network as a driver for tourism, and now has an annual calendar of established events.

2.21 Out of a total of 164,400 jobs provided in Cheshire East, Middlewich provides approximately 4,800 jobs which represents 2.9% of the jobs available in the Borough. own T

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Figure 2.9 Percentage of Jobs by Employment Sector of

2.22 Travel to work data gives an indication of how self contained a settlement is, i.e. the number of people who both live and work in the same settlement. Settlements with higher levels of self-containment are generally able to provide greater opportunities for people to live and work in the same area. Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 11 2.23 Analysis of travel to work data from the Census 2001 provides the following information:

33.6% of people both lived and worked in Middlewich (self-containment) 66.4% of people lived in Middlewich and worked elsewhere (out-commuting) 60.8% of the people that work in Middlewich commuted in from outside the town, with most people coming from the former Vale Royal authority, Crewe, Sandbach and Congleton

2.24 The 2001 Census provided information about economic inactivity in the town. Of all the people aged 16 to 74, 26.0% were economically inactive. This compared to a Cheshire East figures of 31.2%.

The graph below breaks this down into economic inactivity by type.

Figure 2.10 Economic Inactivity by Type

Town Centre

2.25 Almost all retail provision in the town is provided along Wheelock Street in the town centre. There is also a Lidl foodstore just to the north of the town centre. There are a number of multiple retailers within the centre, with the two Tesco stores providing

own the main food provision. However, the main retail T

offer is provided by independent businesses. There is also an open air market every Tuesday. the 2.26 Planning permission was granted in August of

2009 (application no: 09/1686C), on a town centre site to the rear of Wheelock Street for a new Tesco superstore with associated landscaping and additional retail units. This has not yet been Figure 2.11 Wheelock Street implemented. Snapshot

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12 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 2.27 Just to the north west of the town centre, the site currently occupied by Booseys Garden Centre has planning permission (application no: 08/0071/full) for a terrace of retail units, and 1 stand alone retail unit.

2.28 Retail units within the Conservation Area are generally of good quality. The new development on Wheelock Street, which is predominately residential with some retail, is constructed to a high standard and sits well within its surroundings. Figure 2.12 Wheelock Street Development 2.29 The 2010 Town Centre Survey undertaken by Cheshire East Council provides the following information:

there were 100 units in the town centre 14% (14 units) were vacant, higher than the Cheshire East average of 12%, and the national average of 13.9% 41 units were shops 10 units were financial and professional services 16 units were restaurants, cafés, drinking establishments and hot food take-aways a further 19 units were in other uses.

2.30 The Council commissioned a Cheshire Retail Study Update 2011 which provides the following additional information:

there is 10,496 square metres of retail floor space in the town 26.6% of floor space is used for convenience retailing (food) 27.9% of floor space is used for comparison retailing (clothes, electrical, furniture etc) the town centre performs a more localised convenience shopping role with competing centres at Winsford and Northwich resulting in expenditure elsewhere. Transport

2.31 Middlewich is well connected to the national road network via the M6 motorway, which is approximately 2.5 miles to the east of the town centre and is accessible from Junction 18. The town centre itself is situated at the junction of the A533, A54 and A530 roads. This allows easy access to Winsford, Northwich, Crewe, Congleton, Sandbach and Chester.

2.32 Areas of the town suffer from traffic congestion at peak periods particularly the A54 between the junction with the A533 and the Salt Cellar roundabout to the east. Development of the final phase of the own T bypass through Midpoint 18 would ease congestion at this junction. Funding for this route is being sought. Figure 2.13 Road Network the Manchester Airport is approximately half an hour away, and Crewe Railway Station is fifteen minutes. of

2.33 There is a bus interchange in the town centre next to the Bull Ring Amphitheatre. From here buses run regularly to Sandbach, Winsford, Northwich, Crewe, , Congleton and Winsford. However, there is currently no bus service into Midpoint 18. Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 13 2.34 The town currently has no train station. The station closed in 1960 and the railway line running through the town is now only used for freight traffic. A feasibility study undertaken by the Railway Consultancy in 2009 provided a strong business case for a new station at Middlewich, as well as the re-opening of the Sandbach to Northwich line for passenger traffic.

2.35 Running through the centre of the town, the Trent and Mersey Canal was opened in 1777, covering a total length of 93 miles (150 km approx.) from Derwent Mouth on the River Trent to on the Bridgewater Canal. It was heavily used for freight traffic for sixty years, being the only good transport link between the Midlands, Manchester and Liverpool. Subsequent canal development created the “Grand Cross” system which by 1790 allowed the transportation of pottery, coal and salt between the rivers Trent, Mersey, Severn and Thames. Wardle Canal links the Trent and Mersey with Shropshire Union. Figure 2.14 Trent & Mersey Canal 2.36 The canal's towpath and nearby 'Salt Line' are also routes of the National Cycle Network. Routes 5 and 71 run through the town and provide an attractive multi-user trail.

2.37 Middlewich has 3 public car parks. Civic Way has a capacity of 84; Seabank has a capacity of 23 and Southway has a capacity of 26. Open Space and the Countryside

2.38 There is a stark edge where the town's housing areas meet the open countryside with few trees or landscape features to soften the edge. Beyond the town, the landscape is generally open and flat, with intermittent clipped hedgerows infilled with post and wire fencing. Hedgerow trees are sparse and mainly limited to mature oaks. Evidence of industry and the presence of pylons are a prominent feature of the surrounding landscape.

2.39 The 1999 Congleton Landscape Assessment provides 5 land cover types for the Middlewich Open Plain. These are:

2.40 Open Farm Land: Open, medium scale agricultural land mainly used as pasture land, though smaller areas of arable land exist.

2.41 River Wheelock Valley: This is a narrow, shallow valley that extends along and across the Borough boundary. Mainly pasture land; it has localised clumps of deciduous own Figure 2.15 Landscape T vegetation.

the 2.42 Industrial Corridor: Extending between Middlewich and Sandbach is a corridor of land in industrial use, defined by the railway line and the Trent and Mersey. of

2.43 Wetland at Sparrowgrove: A long narrow waterbody surrounded by clumps of deciduous trees and pasture land which is poorly drained in places.

2.44 Peatland: Areas of localised raised Peatland within which water bodies develop on poorly drained soils. Snapshot

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14 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 2.45 The Cledford Lime Beds, part of the British Salt works, are of biological importance and are designated a local Site of Biological Importance (SBI). The Canals running through the town also provide important and diverse water and land habitats for plants and wildlife. The canal’s towpaths provide important Green Corridors through the town and out into the open countryside beyond.

2.46 Open space within the town is limited. There is no substantial park in the town and the main areas of open space for public use are Milton Gardens, the grassed area at the Civic Centre, the Salinae Centre and Harbutt’s Field. There are several play areas within the town, as well as tennis courts, artificial pitches and Multi Use Game Areas (MUGA). Private facilities provision includes bowling greens, cricket pitch and Middlewich Town Football pitch.

2.47 The emerging Cheshire East Survey of Open Space provides information on various open space types within the Borough. Of the types of space available, it is noted that there is a shortage of outdoor sports facilities and space provision for children and teenagers in Middlewich. The Built Environment

2.48 The land use diagram clearly identifies a commercial core to the town where the majority of retail, professional services and food shops are located along the main east-west axis of Wheelock Street. Beyond the town centre boundary, the surrounding streets are largely residential in nature, with the majority of housing located in the south-east and west of the town. own T

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 15 own T

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Figure 2.16 Land Use Map Snapshot

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16 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 2.49 Within the town there is a good mix of house types.The Weaver Valley Regional Park 'Middlewich Masterplan' has divided the town up into 8 Residential Character Areas.

2.50 Residential Character Area 1: Housing development in the north-east section of the town including Dexter, Ayrshire, Jersey and Guernsey Closes. The area includes modern 2 and 3 storey town houses, comprising a variety of housing styles, giving the area an urban character, with the edge of the housing development facing open farmland to the east along Centurion Way. Figure 2.17 New Town Centre Housing 2.51 Residential Character Area 2: Housing development to the east of King Street including New King Street, King’s Crescent, Garfitt Street and Dane Street. The area includes a mixture of post-war council houses and privately owned semi-detached and terraced properties. The houses in this area are bordered by the railway line to the east and King Street to the west.

2.52 Residential Character Area 3: Housing west of King Street including Hadrian Way, Fossa Close, Coriander Close and Diploma Drive. The area contains a new housing estate of mainly detached properties, located between King Street and the River Croco and Trent & Mersey Canal. The properties overlooking the canal are 3-storey town houses.

2.53 Residential Character Area 4: Housing north of St Michael’s Way including Pepper Street and Big Lock Pub. The area contains late 19th century terraced houses with modern 3-storey town houses overlooking the canal; modern detached houses have also been built close to the traditional terraced housing. The Big Lock Pub is the main landmark in the housing area.

2.54 Residential Character Area 5: Housing surrounding Croxton Land including the Orchards and Beechwood Drive. The area contains mainly modern detached housing on narrow winding roads leading off Croxton Lane. Many of the new houses in this area have been built with ‘reclaimed Cheshire Brick’. Older farm workers’ cottages dot the area, with new housing built close to their boundary.

2.55 Residential Character Area 6: Housing to the south of the town centre on the north side of the Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Arm) including Nantwich Road, St Ann’s Road, Long Lane (north) and Shropshire Close. The area contains a mixture of housing in terms of age and style. Older, traditional properties are located closer to the town centre and along Nantwich Road, and post-war semi-detached properties flank the relatively wide Long Lane. Narrower roads lead off from Long Lane with a variety of detached bungalows and modern housing estates.

2.56 Residential Character Area 7: Housing to the south side of the Shropshire Union Canal including Nantwich Road (south), Sutton Lane and Long Lane. The area contains a mixture of council housing, and post-war semis, 1980s housing estates of mixed styles and winding lanes of detached own bungalows along with more recently built modern detached houses. Larger houses with spacious T gardens are located towards Nantwich Road. the 2.57 Residential Character Area 8: Housing at the southern extent of the town, west of the Trent of

& Mersey Canal including Lane and Sycamore Drive. The area contains a mixture of post-war semi-detached houses; council housing and more recently built cul-de-sac estates, many leading from Warmingham Lane, with the eastern edge bordered by the Trent and Mersey Canal. Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 17 2.58 The Trent and Mersey Canal provides a clear divide through the town. This has created a distinction between residential and employment areas, with the predominant development on the east of the canal being employment. own T

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Figure 2.18 Middlewich Residential Character Area Map Snapshot

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18 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 2.59 There are two Conservation Areas within Middlewich; Middlewich Conservation Area and the linear Trent and Mersey Canal-Kent Green Conservation Area as below. There are 39 Listed Buildings in the town, several located within the Conservation Areas. There are several Scheduled Ancient Monuments; Roman Fort in Harbutt’s field, Kinderton Hall- Moated site, and Brine Pumps at Brooks Lane in the town. own T

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Figure 2.19 Middlewich Conservation Areas Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 19 2.60 The Middlewich Conservation Area comprises the historic core of the town centre and has the town's primary landmark within its boundary, the Church of St Michael and All Angels. The church is Grade ll* listed, largely circa 1500 with some parts remaining from the 12th century, and is constructed from red sandstone. It was heavily restored by Joseph Clarke 1857-60, and features clock faces to the east and west, painted heraldic panels in the chapel and, late 19th /early 20th century memorial glass.

2.61 The Trent and Mersey Canal is of great industrial archaeological importance. It was the first major element of the national canal network, and one Figure 2.20 The Church of St Michael and All Angels of the greatest civil engineering projects of the Eighteenth Century.

2.62 The boundary of the Conservation Area has been drawn tightly along the canal corridor. The boundary includes the areas of the canal that have been widened to create basins and wharfs.

2.63 There have been considerable archaeological finds in the town including Prehistoric, Roman, Medieval and, Post Medieval. Artifacts found include a Bronze Age Axe, Neolithic Axe, Roman Fort and, Medieval Brine Pit. Because of the town’s rich history, large areas of the town have been declared Areas of Archaeological Potential. Harbutt's Field is an Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Figure 2.21 Trent & Mersey Canal own T

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20 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report CHESHIRE

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Figure 2.22 Middlewich Map of Archaeological Potential

21 A Snapshot of the Town Community Infrastructure

2.64 The term 'community infrastructure' covers a wide number of facilities and services in Middlewich including education, learning and childcare; health care and social care services; leisure facilities; community safety and policing; and meeting places and places of worship. The location of community facilities in Middlewich is shown over the page. This shows that a number of the community facilities are located in or on the edge of the town centre.

2.65 Community Infrastructure available in Figure 2.23 Cheshire Constabulary Custody Suite Middlewich includes:

2 GP surgeries 2 Dentists 2 Pharmacies 2 Opticians Police Station Cheshire Constabulary Custody Suite Fire Station 3 Primary Schools 1 Secondary School 1 Library Town Hall 2 Care Homes 1 Children’s Centre 3 places of worship own T

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Figure 2.24 Community Infrastructure Location Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 23 2.66 There are plans to develop a new health centre near the leisure centre. The Primary Care Trust has indicated that the project could take around three years.

2.67 Based on current projections there are sufficient school places in the area to meet demand over the next 5 years although the anticipated surplus for primary places is low and provision is being kept under review. The nearest sixth-form to the town is in Sandbach.

2.68 Permission has recently been granted for the Town Wharf project. This will result in the redevelopment of two derelict warehouses along the Trent and Mersey Canal, and provide a valuable link from the canalside to the town centre. The scheme includes a canalside cafe, visitor centre, meeting room, heritage display and boating facilities and will be the new home of the Town Council. Following the loss of funding from the North West Development Agency, there is a need to secure alternative funding.

2.69 Cheshire East Council is currently undertaking a Renewable and Climate Change Study. As part of the study, it will asses the viability for renewable and low carbon infrastructure that may be of community use and benefit.

2.70 Middlewich police station has recently been chosen to become one of only two police stations in Cheshire to be made as eco-friendly as possible. It is hoped that the introduction of solar technology to provide hot water and electricity, along with improved electrical connections and insulation, will lead to energy efficient buildings and reduced running costs. It is also anticipated that the Constabulary will benefit financially via the Feed In Tarrifs and the Renewable Heat Incentives, payments which are in addition to savings on the bills.

2.71 There is a strong feeling of community spirit within Middlewich, with a number of community led projects being delivered through the Middlewich Vision project. own T

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24 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 3 To Sum Up...

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

Housing

Middlewich is likely to need between 460 - 1,600 new homes by 2030. Studies have indicated that there is a need for a range of house types, sizes and tenures. High house prices mean that it can be difficult for first-time buyers to buy a house on the open market, and more affordable housing is needed within the town, particularly three bedroom homes.

Economy

The development of the third phase of Midpoint 18 Business Park could deliver over 2,000 new jobs. Recent closure of some large employers has reduced the employment base within the town. Provision of new jobs in the town would reduce the number of local people who have to commute elsewhere to find work.

Town Centre

There may be scope to improve the retail offer within Middlewich and improve the environment in the town centre, including the canal corridor.

Transport

Delivery of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass is essential to reduce congestion and open up land for development at Midpoint 18. There is significant traffic congestion at peak periods particularly on the A54 between the junction with the A533 and the Salt Cellar roundabout. There is no bus service between the town centre and the main employment area at Midpoint 18. Although there is a railway line running through the town, this is used only for freight traffic. There is potential for a new railway station and the re-opening of the Sandbach to Northwich line for passenger trains.

Open Space and the Countryside

Open space in Middlewich is limited and there is no substantial park within the town. There is a shortage of outdoor sports facilities and provision for children and teenagers.

Built Environment

It will be important to conserve and enhance Middlewich's heritage, especially in the conservation areas and protection of the Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

Community Infrastructure

Additional funding is required to enable the Town Wharf project to proceed. Development of the new health centre. Up...

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 25 Up...

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26 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report Appendices Appendices

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 27 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 Report The AMR forms part of the Local Development Framework. The purpose (AMR) 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 Power CHP is the use of a power generator to simultaneously generate (CHP) electricity and useful heat, to provide hot water for example in a district heating system. 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. Green Infrastructure (GI) The network of natural environment features that lies within and between

erms cities, towns and villages. T

Habitats Regulations A process to describe and evaluate the likely significant effects of of Assessment policies on Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation and Ramsar sites. Glossary

28 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report Index of Multiple The IMD measures the level of deprivation of an area down to the Lower Deprivation (IMD) 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 Cheshire Framework (LDF) 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 Area A set of geographical areas developed by the Office for National (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 Wetlands of international importance, designated under the Ramsar Convention Scheduled Ancient A nationally protected structure of special historic interest or significant, Monument (SAM) for example earthworks and 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 Document The Site Allocations document is part of the LDF and will contain land 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. 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 An area given special protection under the EU Habitats Directive to Conservation (SAC) protect a variety of wild animals, plants and habitats as part of efforts to conserve biodiversity. Special Protection Area An area identified as being of international importance for the breeding, (SPA) feeding, wintering or migration of rare and vulnerable species of birds erms T under the EU Birds Directive. of 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. Glossary

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 29 Strategic Housing Land A key component of the evidence base to support the delivery of Availability Assessment sufficient land for housing; to meet the community’s need for more homes and to inform housing policy within the Cheshire East Local Development Framework. Strategic Housing Market This is a study that assesses the local housing markets and need for Assessment (SHMA) housing in the area. 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. erms T

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30 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report Appendix B: References

Author Document Date Snapshot Cheshire East Council Settlement Study 2010 Cheshire County Council Cheshire Historic Towns Survey 1998 Housing Cheshire East Council Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2010 Cheshire East Council Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment2010 Cheshire East Council Annual Monitoring Report 2010 Cheshire East Council Housing Monitoring Database Unpublished Economy Office for National Statistics Annual Business Inquiry 2008 Office for National Statistics Census 2001 Cheshire East Council Draft Local Economic Assessment Unpublished Cheshire East Council Employment Sites 2010 Town Centre Cheshire East Council Shopping Surveys 2010 Cheshire East Council Annual Monitoring Report 2010 Cheshire East Council Cheshire Retail Study Update 2011 Transport Cheshire East Council Transport Baseline Data Report 2010 Cheshire East Council Car Parks Town by Town 2011 Cheshire East Council Cycle Routes in Cheshire 2011 Cheshire East Council Bus timetables 2011 Feasibility Study into Re-opening the Sandbach The Railway Consultancy to Northwich Railway Line to Passenger Traffic,2009 including Re-opening Middlewich Station Open Space and the Countryside Congleton Borough Council Congleton Landscape Assessment 1999 Cheshire East Council Open Spaces Database Unpublished The Built Environment Weaver Valley Regional Park Middlewich Cheshire County Council 2008 Masterplan Cheshire Historic Towns Survey Middlewich Cheshire County Council 2003 Archaeological Assessment Cheshire East Council Local List of Historic Buildings 2010 Community Infrastructure Cheshire East Council Leisure, Culture and Tourism 2011 Cheshire East Council Infrastructure Study Unpublished Cheshire East Council Climate Change and Renewables Study 2011 References

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Middlewich Snapshot Report 31 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