Local Plan
Local plan update
In January 2024, the Council decided to prepare a new style Local Plan under the provisions of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. However, since the new government was elected last year, the implementation of the new plan-making system has been delayed, and the deadline for submitting plans under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004) has been extended to December 2026.
As a result, Council Cabinet decided on 15 January 2025 to begin preparation of an update to the Local Plan under the current plan-making system, with the option to switch to the new plan-making system should it prove necessary and expedient to do so.
The update to the Local Plan will create a single local plan document that updates and replaces all policies in the Local Plan (Part One) and Local Plan (Part Two). While a formal Local Development Scheme will be published in due course, a provisional timetable is set out below:
Cheshire West and Chester provisional Local Development Scheme under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act
|
Details |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Regulation 18 Issues and Options |
Summer 2025 |
|
Regulation 19 Publication / Pre-Submission Plan |
Autumn 2026 |
|
Submission |
December 2026 |
|
Examination |
Spring / Summer 2027 |
|
Adoption |
Summer / Autumn 2027 |
Once details are published and a start date is confirmed for the rollout of Local Plans under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act, the Council may decide to switch to the new plan-making system as the quickest route to an adopted Local Plan. If this route is taken, the provisional timetable and scope is set out below:
Cheshire West and Chester provisional Local Plan Timetable under the LURA
|
Details |
Area covered and dates |
|---|---|
|
Geographical Coverage |
Borough wide |
|
Content |
In line with legislation the Local Plan will set out the amount, type and location of development. The Local Plan will also include other policies in relation to the use or development of land including infrastructure requirements. |
|
Timetable |
30 months from being able to commence plan production |
|
Joint Plan |
No |
|
Minerals and Waste |
To be included in the borough wide Local Plan |
|
Design Code |
In preparation with final draft Summer 2025 |
|
Supplementary Plans |
To be determined |
Overview
Supplementary Planning documents
Monitoring reports
Every year we produce monitoring reports which monitor the Council's housing land supply; the Local Plan documents and policies and minerals and waste technical information.
Documents and comments
You can read, download and make comments on consultation documents through our online consultation portal:
