Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)

Development Briefs

Development briefs are additional planning guidance for specific larger, complex or sensitive sites. They show which policies apply to the site and contain detailed guidance on things like infrastructure requirements, access, design, landscape and open space.

Design codes are a collection of design principles which helps define what good development and high-quality public streets and spaces look like. A code sets out exactly what is expected of developers in a clear and visual manner. This leads to the creation of more beautiful and sustainable places within existing communities that local residents are more likely to support and treasure. 

The Local Plan sets delivery requirements and targets and identifies development sites to meet the needs of the borough. These targets and requirements, are monitored through data collection and analysis, alongside monitoring data for MHCLG and other external bodies.

Is this section you can view the monitoring data and reports for the adopted Local Plan, and topic specific reports for housing development, employment land, and minerals and waste. Please select a monitoring topic from the options below to view published monitoring reports and supporting data.

A range of guidance and advice notes and checklists supplement the Local Plan, and provide assistance for preparing planning proposals and applications. Please select one of the topics below to view the documents, and where relevant, complete the online checklist or statement.

The following documents and links provide a local evidence base on the key social, economic and environmental characteristics and issues that will support and inform the preparation and delivery of planning policy in Cheshire West and Chester.

New evidence base documents and sections will be added to this page as they become available.

The Localism Act 2011 introduced new rights and powers to allow local communities to shape new development by coming together to prepare neighbourhood plans. These plans set out the vision, policies and proposals for the future development of an area. Once made by Cheshire West and Chester Council, the neighbourhood plan forms part of the statutory development plan for the borough and is used in making decisions on planning applications within the neighbourhood plan area. 

The Local Plan is the key land use planning document for Cheshire West and Chester. It will help decide things like the most sustainable places for homes, shops and workplaces to be built, and how to protect the Green Belt, open space and the natural and historic environment. 

The adopted development plan consists of the Local Plan Part One and Part Two and any made Neighbourhood Plans.

Following the adoption of the Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Policies on 29 January 2015, and the Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies on 18 July 2019, all policies from the former district and county Local Plans have been deleted and replaced either by a new policy within the Cheshire West and Chester Local Plan (Parts One and Two), or by the NPPF. Appendix B of the Local Plan (Part Two) provides full details.