Spatial Planning and Planning Policies

The Spatial Planning Team is responsible for the preparation and review of planning policies in Cheshire East.

Information available on these spatial planning webpages includes:

• Place Shaping Consultation: help us plan the future of Cheshire East;
• Current planning policies used to determine planning applications;
• The Cheshire East Local Plan (including the Core Strategy);
• National Planning Policies;
• Research carried out or commissioned by the section

Cheshire East Local Plan

The Cheshire East Local Plan is currently being prepared and once in place will replace the saved policies from the existing Local Plans that are in place.  The Local Plan will be made of up a number of documents including the Core Strategy and Site Allocations documents.  Once in place, the Local Plan will be the Statutory Development Plan in Cheshire East and will form the basis of planning decisions in the Borough until 2030.

Current Planning Policies

Prior to the development of documents within the Cheshire East Local Plan, the statutory development plan for Cheshire East currently consists of saved policies from the

• Cheshire Minerals Local Plan
• Cheshire Waste Local Plan
• Cheshire Structure Plan
• Congleton Local Plan
• Crewe and Nantwich Local Plan
• Macclesfield Local Plan
• North West Regional Spatial Strategy

In addition, national planning policies are set out by the department of ‘Communities and Local Government’ in the National Planning Policy Framework published on 27th March 2012.

Applications are usually determined in accordance with the policies in the statutory development plan unless ‘material considerations’ indicate otherwise. Material considerations can include any matter that should be taken into account when deciding a planning application and will include Supplementary Planning Documents and other planning guidance published by the Council.

The Government revoked the North West Regional Spatial Strategy on the 6th July 2010.  However, following a High Court decision on 10th November 2010, it has now been reinstated and forms part of the statutory development plan under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.  Under the new Localism Act, the Government still intends to abolish Regional Strategies, following a review of the sustainability implications of doing so.

A printed list of the policies in the adopted development plan (PDF, 199KB) is also available.

Research and Evidence

The Spatial Planning Team has published an extensive body of research and evidence on various social, environmental and economic issues affecting Cheshire East. This research is used to help develop new planning policies and documents.

Major Developments

A number of large development schemes are proposed in Cheshire East, including extensive town-centre redevelopment proposals in Macclesfield and Crewe.  Cheshire East Council will also be working closely with Stockport Council to ensure a joined-up approach to the redevelopment of the BAE Systems Site at Woodford.

Planning Policy Documents Index and Price List

In addition to planning policy documents adopted by Cheshire East Council, there are a number of planning policy documents from the previous authorities that are still applicable. The Planning Policy Documents Index identifies these documents and details how to obtain copies.

Quick Links

Annual Monitoring Report | Core Strategy | Local Development Scheme | Local Plan | Retail Study | Statement of Community Involvement | Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment | Strategic Housing Market Assessment | Supplementary Planning Documents | Supplementary Planning Guidance Notes | Useful Planning-Related Links