Neighbourhood Plan comes into effect

On March 24th the Audlem Neighbourhood Plan referendum was held, which resulted in an overwhelming vote in favour, with 96.7% of those who voted saying 'yes'.

At this afternoon's meeting of Cheshire East's Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning both the Audlem and Sandbach Neighbourhood Plans were approved, or to use the official word, made. This means that the Neighbourhood Plan becomes a statutory document that Cheshire East has to take into account when determining planning applications.

Speaking at the meeting, Parish Councillor Geoff Seddon told the meeting that the Plan represents the clear wishes of the residents of Audlem in relation to development, as demonstrated in the recent referendum.

He quoted the Plan's Vision "We intend to proactively enhance Audlem's position as the Local Service Centre for the area through gradual, managed, well-planned development."

He went on to say that Audlem, like many other parishes in Cheshire East, has attracted and is still attracting a number of speculative planning applications for unwanted and unnecessary development. He told Councillor Ainsley Arnold that the Parish Council expects that Cheshire East's planners will now take into account the clear wishes of Audlem's residents.

Finally, he thanked Cheshire East Council for the invaluable support that had been received, both from officers and financially through being one of the Authority's 'Front Runner' Group.

Councillor Arnold then commended the efforts of both sets of residents in bringing their Plans to fruition.

Spatial Planning Manager, Tom Evans, was particularly complimentary about the Audlem Neighbourhood Plan, saying that the document was particularly robust and would come into effect immediately.

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