CWaC Local Plan update

A fresh opportunity for communities to shape the future of the borough. Cheshire West and Chester Council has confirmed an important update on its new Local Plan.

Following the Issues and Options consultation held in 2025, the Council has now decided to prepare the new Local Plan under the Government’s new national plan-making system, introduced in March 2026. This means that the previous consultation work is not wasted — the feedback received has already helped to identify key issues, improve the evidence base and highlight where further technical work is needed — but the Council must now follow a new formal process and timetable.

This matters for parish and town councils, community buildings, voluntary organisations and public sector partners because the Local Plan will help shape where future homes, employment sites, infrastructure, open spaces, community facilities and environmental protections are planned across the borough.

Why should communities take notice?

The Local Plan is one of the most important documents affecting the future of local places. It will guide planning decisions and set the strategic framework for development across Cheshire West and Chester up to 2043.

For local communities, this could affect issues such as:

• where future housing and employment development may be located
• how rural settlements and key service centres may change
• what infrastructure is needed to support growth
• how community facilities, village halls and local services are protected and planned for
• affordable housing and housing for older people or those with specialist needs
• access to green space, active travel, public transport and local services
• climate resilience, landscape, biodiversity and the historic environment

For parish councils and community organisations, this is a key moment to gather local evidence and think about what your community needs over the next 15 to 20 years.

What happens next?

The Council has published a new Local Plan timetable. Key upcoming stages include:

• 7 to 28 September 2026 – Local Plan scoping consultation
• 23 November 2026 to 8 January 2027 – consultation on proposed Local Plan content and evidence
• 1 October to 1 December 2027 – consultation on the full proposed Local Plan
• 1 May 2028 – submission of the Local Plan for examination
• 1 December 2028 – anticipated adoption of the new Local Plan

These dates may be updated as the process progresses, but they give communities a clear sense of when formal engagement opportunities are expected.

What should parish councils and community groups do now?

Cheshire Community Action would encourage parish councils, community building committees and local voluntary organisations to start preparing early. This does not need to be complicated, but it is helpful to begin gathering evidence and local priorities before formal consultation deadlines arrive.

Useful questions to consider include:

• What development pressures is your community experiencing?
• Are local facilities, halls, open spaces, schools, health services, roads, pavements or public transport under pressure?
• Are there gaps in local affordable housing, specialist housing or downsizing options?
• Are there important community assets or green spaces that need to be protected?
• Are there opportunities for community-led development, renewable energy, better walking and cycling links, or improved use of community buildings?
• What infrastructure would be needed if further local growth is proposed?

For communities with an existing or emerging Neighbourhood Plan, it will also be important to consider how that work aligns with the new Local Plan timetable and national planning policy.

Cheshire Community Action’s role

Cheshire Community Action will continue to monitor the Local Plan process and has previously submitted evidence in its response to the August 2025 options and issues consultation. Contact John Heselwood (john.heselwood@cheshireaction.org.uk) if you have any questions or need support with evidence gathering, community engagement, housing needs reports, or conducting consultations with your community to support your planning policies.

We are particularly interested in ensuring that rural communities, parish councils, community buildings, voluntary organisations and local residents have meaningful opportunities to influence the plan. Growth and development need to be supported by the right infrastructure, services and community facilities — and local evidence will be vital in making that case.

Further information is available through the CWaC New Local Plan webpage and the published summary of responses to the 2025 Issues and Options consultation.

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