10 Frodsham

10 Frodsham

National policy

10.1 Plans should promote sustainable patterns of development including making effective use of land in urban areas (NPPF, paragraph 11) and align growth and infrastructure. 

10.2 Planning Policies should set out a clear economic vision and strategy which positively and proactively encourages sustainable economic growth (NPPF, paragraph 86a) and should support the role that town centres play at the heart of local communities by taking a positive approach to their growth, management and adaptation (NPPF, paragraph 90). 

10.3 The government attaches great importance to Green Belts. The fundamental aim of Green Belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open; the essential characteristics of Green Belts are their openness and their permanence (NPPF, paragraph 142). 

Evidence base

Key issues

  • Frodsham is a distinctive and attractive historic market town, with a mix of historic buildings and a successful retail centre with independent traders.
  • While there are relatively low town centre vacancies there is a need to plan to be adaptable to changing shopping habits and to meet the needs of the visitor economy.
  • Green spaces are highly valued and should be protected, along with recreation, leisure and community uses.
  • Traffic congestion can be an issue in the town centre and on connecting roads, with a need to promote more cycling and walking in the town, and the potential improved transport links offered by the Halton Curve, and rail services to Chester, Manchester and beyond.
  • Affordable housing for young people and families, including start homes and provision of housing options for a significant population of older residents.
  • Designated European site and site of special scientific interest in the Mersey Estuary and Frodsham Marshes need to be protected from harm or disturbance.
  • Protecting the landscape, topography, character, appearance and setting of Frodsham and Helsby Hills Area of Special County Value (ASCV) and Green Belt, particularly that separating Frodsham with neighbouring Helsby. 

Map 10.1 Frodsham settlement area and key constraints (View full image)

Map of Frodsham settlement highlighting flood risk, conservation areas, open spaces, local wildlife, and SSSI sites.

Current adopted policy

Local Plan

Policy reference

Policy summary

Local Plan (Part One)

STRAT 2 Strategic development

The spatial strategy as set out in this policy is based on a pattern of development to meet housing and employment needs in locations that maximise the use of existing infrastructure and that are accessible by public transport, focussing on the main urban settlements of: Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich and Winsford, and the key service centres of: Cuddington and Sandiway, Farndon, Frodsham, Helsby, Kelsall, Malpas, Neston and Parkgate, Tarporley, Tattenhall and Tarvin.
This policy also sets out the settlement hierarchy and provides the context for defining settlement boundaries on the policies map  .

Local Plan (Part One)

STRAT 8 Rural area

Supports development in the rural area that serves local needs in the most sustainable and accessible locations, in Key and Local services Centres. The following settlements are defined Key Service Centres: Cuddington and Sandiway, Farndon, Frodsham, Helsby, Kelsall, Malpas, Neston and Parkgate, Tarporley, Tattenhall and Tarvin.

Suggested policy approach

10.4 Given the size of Frodsham and its role in providing local infrastructure and services for their relatively larger populations and the surrounding hinterland, our suggested approach is to provide an individual place-based policy for Frodsham that sets out the vision, core features, key issues and clear strategy for what development will take place.

FR 1

Frodsham

Identify Frodsham as a market town in the new Local Plan settlement hierarchy.

Set out the level and location of new development in and around the town – depending on the final potential growth option (see SS 5 ‘Spatial strategy options’), this may require the release of Green Belt land.

The policy approach will generally reflect the objectives and projects identified in the Frodsham Neighbourhood Plan, including:

  • allocating sites FRO/0010, FRO/0038, FRO/0039, S/01, S/07, S/10 for development
  • providing a mix of new homes, especially affordable housing for young people/families, starter homes, and smaller properties enable downsizing and meeting the needs of older residents
  • protecting existing and promoting new employment and business opportunities, maintaining the vitality and viability of the retail centre
  • ensuring new development respects the character of Frodsham in terms of design, materials and scale
  • protecting the appearance, setting and character of the Frodsham and Helsby Hill ASCV
  • supporting the development of Frodsham’s tourism and visitor economy
  • protecting and enhancing the network of accessible green and open spaces
  • managing the potential impact on designated habitats sites
  • facilitating easy and safe access within the town, for walking, wheeling and cycling, that is designed for the needs of an ageing population
  • supporting the use of electric vehicles and providing adequate vehicle and cycle parking

Question FR 1

Do you agree with the suggested policy approach towards Frodsham, as set out in FR 1 ‘Frodsham’ above? If not please suggest how it could be amended?