2 The Local Plan

2.1 The Local Plan sets out planning policies for the use and protection of land, including the allocation of land for development. It includes the strategic priorities and development considerations for the area and is used in determining planning applications. 

2.2 The statutory development plan for Cheshire West and Chester currently consists of: 

  • Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Policies (adopted 29 January 2015);
  • Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies (adopted 18 July 2019); and
  • Neighbourhood Development Plans 

2.3 Local plans are subject to Sustainability Appraisal and to a formal examination in public (EIP).

Policies Map

2.4 The Council is required to maintain a policies map, which explains geographically the application of the adopted policies in Cheshire West and Chester’s development plan. The policies map is not itself subject to independent examination by an Inspector, but is necessary to illustrate the spatial application of proposed policies and changes to land use allocations.

Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs) 

2.5 As at May 2025, 20 NDPs are being prepared in Cheshire West and Chester. A number of other areas are also considering preparation of an NDP but have not formally commenced the process. 

2.6 The following Neighbourhood Plans have been supported at referendum or made: 

  • Ashton Hayes and Horton-cum-Peel Neighbourhood Plan - made on 21 June 2017.
  • Beeston, Tiverton and Tilstone Fearnall Neighbourhood Plan - made on 20 December 2017.
  • Broxton and District Neighbourhood Plan - made on 30 November 2016.
  • Central Gowy (South) Neighbourhood Plan - made on 6 March 2018. Clotton Hoofield Neighbourhood Plan - made on 20 May 2021. Cuddington Neighbourhood Plan - made on 27 February 2019.
  • Darnhall Neighbourhood Plan - made on 20 May 2021.
  • Davenham and Whatcroft Neighbourhood Plan - made on 20 December 2017.
  • Farndon Neighbourhood Plan - made on 6 March 2018.
  • Frodsham Neighbourhood Plan - made on 25 November 2024.
  • Hartford Neighbourhood Plan - made on 8 June 2016.
  • Helsby Neighbourhood Plan - made on 8 June 2016.
  • Ince Neighbourhood Plan - made on 30 October 2023.
  • Kelsall & Willington Neighbourhood Plan - made on 15 March 2017.
  • Malpas and Overton Neighbourhood Plan - made on 8 July 2015.
  • Moulton Neighbourhood Plan - made on 5 July 2019.
  • Neston Neighbourhood Plan - made on 8 June 2016.
  • No Mans Heath & District Neighbourhood Plan - made on 28 June 2018.
  • Norley Neighbourhood Plan - made on 3 February 2016.
  • Northwich Neighbourhood Plan - made on 4 July 2018.
  • Tarporley Neighbourhood Plan - made on 8 June 2016.
  • Tarvin Neighbourhood Plan - made on 9 September 2019.
  • Tattenhall and District Neighbourhood Plan - made on 4 June 2014.
  • Upton-by-Chester and District Neighbourhood Plan - made on 2 September 2022.
  • Utkinton and Cotebrook Neighbourhood Plan - made on 20 May 2021.
  • Whitegate & Marton Neighbourhood Plan - made on 3 May 2017.
  • Winsford Neighbourhood Plan - made on 19 November 2014.

2.7 The following areas are also preparing Neighbourhood Development Plans:

  • Antrobus
  • Barrow
  • Blacon
  • Burwardsley
  • Christleton and Littleton
  • Churton
  • Coddington and District
  • Comberbach
  • Delamere and Oakmere
  • Dunham on the Hill and Hapsford
  • Farndon (revised plan)
  • Guilden Sutton
  • Handbridge
  • Kingsley
  • Lower Peover
  • Malpas (revised plan)
  • Marston
  • Mickle Trafford
  • Tarporley (revised plan)
  • Tattenhall (revised plan)

Other supporting documents

2.8 The following documents support the implementation and development of the Local Plan and are available on the Council’s web site: 

  • Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)
  • Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) (2022)
  • The Authority’s Monitoring Report (produced annually)
  • Local Development Scheme (this document) 

2.9 The Council has also adopted the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to raise funding towards the infrastructure required to support growth, which commenced on 1 September 2017. 

Monitoring and Review 

2.10 Each year the Council publishes an annual monitoring report (AMR), covering the year from the start of April of the preceding year to the end of March. The AMR compares the progress of Local Plan preparation to the timetable in the LDS. It also assesses the effectiveness of Local Plan policies, and the significant effects, and reports monitoring data for Cheshire West and Chester.

2.11 The AMR will therefore act to identify where future policy changes which may be required, and whether a review of the preparation timetable is necessary. 

2.12 Regulation 10A of the Local Planning Regulations (2012) (as amended) requires Councils to review a local plan every five years, from the date of adoption, to assess whether it requires updating: 

  • A review of the Cheshire West and Chester 'Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Policies' was carried out in January 2020. For the reasons set out in the report and attached appendices it was found to not require updating.
  • A review of the Cheshire West and Chester 'Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies' was carried out in June 2024. For the reasons set out in the report it was found not to require updating.
  • A further review of the Cheshire West and Chester 'Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Policies' was carried out in January 2025. The report sets out that if the Council has not already resolved to update the plan the change to the standard method for calculating local housing need would have prompted an update to the plan.