Regulation 20 - Made Plan
Cheshire West and Chester Council decided to make the Handbridge Neighbourhood Plan under Section 38A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 on 29 July 2025.
The Hanbridge Neighbourhood Plan now forms part of the Development Plan for Cheshire West and Chester and will be taken into account in local planning decisions. The Council has published a decision statement which sets out the decision to make the neighbourhood plan and the reasons for doing so.
Regulation 19 - Referendum
The Handbridge NP referendum took place on 24 July 2025, with 72% of voters saying "yes" to the neighbourhood plan.
Regulations 17 and 18 - Examination
Cheshire West and Chester Council appointed Mr Andrew Mead BSc (Hons) MRTPIO MIQ as independent examiner of the neighbourhood plan. His report was published on 3 April 2025.
Mr Mead wrote to the Council and the Qualifying Body (Handbridge Neighbourhood Forum) on 24 February to clarify some initial procedural matters. The Council and the Qualifying Body sent their answers to Mr Mead on 1 and 3 March:
Regulation 15 and 16 - Publicity stage consultation and SEA + HRA screening determination
The Handbridge NP regulation 16 consultation ran from 19 December 2024 to 13 February 2025.
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Document
Regulation 14 - Pre-submission consultation
The Handbridge NP regulation 14 consultation took place between 28 April and 30 June 2024.
Regulations 5, 6 and 7 - Neighbourhood Area designation
An application was made to designate Handbridge Neighbourhood Forum and Handbridge Neighbourhood Area. The neighbourhood forum and neighbourhood area were designated on 18 January 2021.
October 2025 update
The Handbridge Neighbourhood Forum has now been dissolved as the neighbourhood plan has been made.