Cheshire East's new Local Plan has reached its first major development milestone after more than 1,500 people responded to a consultation about the borough's future.
The plan will shape how communities across Cheshire East, including Crewe, develop into the 2040s. Housing, employment, transport, infrastructure and the environment were among the issues residents were invited to discuss.
On Thursday 8 October, the council's Cabinet agreed to publish a Gateway 1 Self-Assessment at the end of the month. The council says this marks the start of its 30-month timetable for producing the plan.
What the milestone means
The assessment sets out how the council has met government requirements at this stage of preparation. It is a step towards producing the new plan, not the adoption of a finished document or confirmation of individual development sites.
Councillor Mick Warren, cabinet member for planning, housing and regeneration, said more information and evidence would be gathered over the coming months, alongside further opportunities for residents to contribute.
Residents' views will inform the next stage
The recent scoping consultation covered housing, jobs, transport, community facilities, climate change, heritage, the natural environment, health and wellbeing.
An in-person community assembly also brought together almost 30 residents from across the borough. Discussions at the August assembly repeatedly raised housing affordability, environmental protection, transport links, infrastructure, town centre regeneration and community wellbeing.
The council plans another assembly in November. Its focus will be developing a vision for how Cheshire East should change, helping inform the evidence used when considering where development might go.
Further statutory consultation and other engagement activities are planned as work continues.
Source: Cheshire East Council's 8 October Local Plan update.