Cheshire East Local Plan Crewe Hub Area Action Plan Publication Draft March 2020 1 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL PLAN: Crewe Hub Area Action Plan March 2020 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................... 5 Responding to the Opportunity .............................................................................................. 7 Aims ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Development Ambitions: Principles and Approach ............................................................ 13 2. Plan Context ..................................................................................................... 16 National Context .................................................................................................................. 16 Local Context: Future Investment in Crewe Station............................................................ 17 Local Plan Strategy .............................................................................................................. 19 Status of the Crewe Hub AAP and Material Weight ........................................................... 22 Sustainability Appraisal ....................................................................................................... 24 Habitats Regulations Assessment ........................................................................................ 25 Main Issues .......................................................................................................................... 26 Accompanying reports and evidence base ........................................................................... 29 Developing the Plan – Consultation and Previous Stages ................................................... 30 3. Vision ................................................................................................................ 31 Crewe Hub Area Action Plan Policies Map ........................................................................ 33 Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 34 4. Development Opportunities .................................................................................. 39 Figure 1: Crewe Hub Masterplan ......................................................................................... 39 Policy DO1: Crewe Hub Development Principles............................................................... 40 Policy DO2: Supporting Crewe railway station................................................................... 43 Policy DO3: Economy and Employment ............................................................................. 45 Policy DO4: New Residential Development ....................................................................... 47 Policy DO5: Mixed use development: ................................................................................. 49 2 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL PLAN: Crewe Hub Area Action Plan March 2020 Policy DO6: Affordable housing ......................................................................................... 51 Policy DO7: Crewe Hub Local Urban Centre ..................................................................... 53 5.Improving Connectivity .......................................................................................... 56 Policy IC1: Improving Connections .................................................................................... 56 Policy IC2: Primary Green Routes ...................................................................................... 58 Policy IC3: The Crewe Hub Green Link ............................................................................. 60 Policy IC4: Pedestrian and Cycling Networks..................................................................... 62 Policy IC5: Transport and Highways Infrastructure ............................................................ 64 Policy IC6: Bus Priority ....................................................................................................... 68 Policy IC7: Re-Use of Existing Car Parks ........................................................................... 70 Policy IC8: Parking Provision ............................................................................................. 71 Policy IC9: Car Parking Design ........................................................................................... 74 Policy IC10: Car Parking Standards .................................................................................... 77 6.Infrastructure for Sustainable Development .......................................................... 79 Policy ISD1: New Infrastructure ......................................................................................... 79 Policy ISD2: Forward Funded Infrastructure Costs............................................................. 81 Policy ISD3: Planning Obligations Reduced on Viability Grounds .................................... 84 Policy ISD4: Energy Infrastructure (Net-Zero Carbon) ...................................................... 87 Figure 2: Green Space and Green Infrastructure ................................................................. 90 Policy ISD5: Green Space and Green Infrastructure ........................................................... 90 Policy ISD6: Skills Infrastructure ........................................................................................ 94 Policy ISD7: Digital and Smart Infrastructure..................................................................... 96 Policy ISD8: Water Infrastructure ....................................................................................... 98 7.Improving Environmental Quality ........................................................................ 103 3 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL PLAN: Crewe Hub Area Action Plan March 2020 Policy EQ1: Design, Integration of Development, and Public Realm ............................... 103 Policy EQ2: Light and Privacy and Amenity Space .......................................................... 106 Policy EQ3: Environmentally Sustainable Design ............................................................ 107 Policy EQ4: Tall Buildings ................................................................................................ 108 Policy EQ5: Safeguarding Crewe's Railway and Built Heritage ....................................... 111 8. Crewe Hub Development Area Policies ............................................................. 113 Policy DA1: Mill Street ..................................................................................................... 114 Policy DA2: Macon Way ................................................................................................... 117 Policy DA3: Commercial District ...................................................................................... 120 Policy DA4: Station Hub ................................................................................................... 122 Policy DA5: Gresty Road .................................................................................................. 125 Policy DA6: Nantwich Road Corridor ............................................................................... 128 Appendix 1: Glossary ............................................................................................. 130 Appendix 2: Evidence and Links ............................................................................ 139 4 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL PLAN: Crewe Hub Area Action Plan March 2020 1. Introduction 1.1 The arrival of HS2 to Crewe presents an unparalleled opportunity to realise Crewe’s full potential as a regional and national hub and could bring transformational growth that can have significant environmental, economic and social benefits for the community of Crewe and beyond. The project offers huge opportunities to support regional economic growth and rebalance the economy of the north whilst securing a long term move towards greener and more sustainable forms of travel which are crucial to maximise the regeneration opportunities that can be truly transformative for Crewe. 1.2 Current plans already confirmed by government will see the operation HS2 services to Crewe by 2028, with a later phase linking Manchester and beyond. To maximise the opportunities for inter-regional connectivity, regeneration and economic growth, Cheshire East Council, working in partnership with Network Rail, the Local Economic Partnership and the Constellation Partnership, are continuing to engage with government to seek to secure additional investment in infrastructure that supports a more frequent service and an enhanced station at Crewe. Whilst the connectivity opportunity at Crewe Rail Station exists regardless of the Council’s HS2 related growth ambitions, this opportunity is vastly improved if such investment can be secured. 1.3 Securing HS2 services to Crewe means delivering investment in Crewe Station to create a true HS2 Hub, with the rail infrastructure and facilities that can create a level of connectivity potentially of a scale that is truly transformative for Crewe. Such investment can bring high levels of new jobs and homes, and opportunities to radically improve the built environment and functionality of central Crewe, enhancing Crewe’s already considerable transport advantages. Achieving