3 Objectives

Option A

Take forward the current Local Plan objectives

This option takes forward the objectives from the current Local Plan. However, some may need to be amended if they are not considered realistically achievable.

Economic

• SO2 Support a vibrant, diverse and competitive local economy that provides a range of job opportunities to support sustainable communities.
• SO4 Provide and develop reliable, efficient transport networks that support sustainable growth and improve accessibility to jobs and services.
• SO5 Ensure all development is supported by the necessary provision of, or improvements to infrastructure, services and facilities in an effective and timely manner to make development sustainable and minimise its effect upon existing communities.

Social

• SO6 Promote mixed and balanced communities through the provision of a range of housing to meet market, affordable and specialist housing needs.
• SO7 Support education and skills and ensure that deprived communities have access to services and employment.
• SO8 Create stronger, safer and healthier communities by enabling access to leisure, recreational and community facilities and promoting walking and cycling.

Environmental

• SO11 Ensure new development does not create an unacceptable impact, either individually or cumulatively, on the amenity and health of residents.
• SO12 Ensure new development is of sustainable and high quality design that respects heritage assets, local distinctiveness and the character and appearance of the landscape and townscape.
• SO13 Manage, expand and improve green infrastructure and waterways networks, recognising their importance in delivering local environmental, social, economic and health benefits.
• SO14 Mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change by addressing flood risk and water management and support the development of new buildings and infrastructure that are resilient, resistant and adapted to the effects of climate change.
• SO15 Take action on climate change by promoting energy efficiency and energy generation from low carbon and renewable resources.
• SO16 Achieve sustainable waste management, using sustainable modes of transport and travel and the prudent use of our natural resources including water and mineral reserves.

As a result of changes to national planning policy, the following objectives could be more difficult to deliver and may have to be amended:

• SO1 Develop the role of Chester as a sub-regional city, promote regeneration and development in the towns of Ellesmere Port, Northwich and Winsford and enable appropriate levels of development in the key service centres to support sustainable rural communities.
• SO3 In rural areas, support farming, agriculture and diversification of the rural economy whilst ensuring development is of an appropriate scale and character.
• SO9 Support sustainable development and urban regeneration by supporting the use of suitably located previously developed land and buildings and by locating the majority of development within and on the edge of the main urban areas and key service centres.
• SO10 Protect the environmental quality and character of Cheshire West and Chester through maintaining the general extent and character of the North Cheshire Green Belt and Cheshire countryside.

Option B

Use the Sustainability Appraisal objectives

This option proposes using the objectives from the Sustainability Appraisal:

1. Protect air quality where it is of a high standard and to improve it elsewhere.
2. Reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses, in particular CO2
3. Reduce energy consumption, promote energy efficiency and increase the use of energy from renewable resources. Will it reduce energy consumption?
4. Achieve sustainable waste management by reducing the production of waste, increasing opportunities for recycling and reducing the amount of waste being sent for final disposal to landfill.
5. Reduce the consumption of natural resources.
6. Protect land and soil quality.
7. Optimise the re-use of previously developed land and buildings.
8. Manage contaminated land effectively 
9. Protect and enhance the number and area of RIGS.
10. Minimise the risk of flooding from all sources. 
11. Protect, maintain and improve the quality of water resources, minimise the risk of pollution and improve water efficiency. Will the Plan protect, maintain and improve the quality of water resources?
12. Protect, enhance and manage the character and appearance of the landscape and townscape, maintaining and strengthening local distinctiveness and sense of place. 
13. Preserve and enhance historic assets, sites, features, areas and settings of archaeological, historical and cultural heritage importance. 
14. Protect and enhance the borough’s biodiversity and wildlife habitats.
15. Provide sufficient high quality, well designed, sustainable housing solutions to meet the range of identified needs for market and affordable housing (including housing options for older people, students, Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople and self and custom house building)
16. Promote regeneration, particularly of deprived areas.
17. Create a safe environment to live in and reduce the fear of crime.
18. Enable environments that promote health and wellbeing. 
19. Support a sustainable, resilient and inclusive economy and provide opportunities for economic growth and investment. 
20. Maintain and improve the vitality and viability of city, town and local centres
21. Protect and enhance community facilities and services
22. Make the best use of existing transport infrastructure and ensure everyone has access to high quality and affordable public transport, cycling and walking infrastructure

These objectives can be viewed in more detail in the Local Plan Update 2023 Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report