Sandbach residents to have increased say over town developments

Authorities in Sandbach have put together a plan to give residents a bigger say in the nature of the town’s developments.

Backed by Cheshire East Council, the Neighbourhood Plan will undergo six weeks of public consultation and then scrutiny from an independent examiner.

If approval is given, the plan will progress to a local referendum stage that gives those in the area the chance to decide whether they wish to bring the plan into effect or not.

Cheshire East Council’s cabinet member for housing and planning, Cllr Ainsley Arnold, said: “Neighbourhood plans are an important tool to enable local people to develop policies to address planning matters that affect not only their interests but also their health and wellbeing.

“Neighbourhood plans are a key part of our commitment to putting ‘residents first’ – which is one of the council’s key priorities – and we fully support communities in putting them in place.”

He added: “These plans allow communities to take ownership of local planning policy, which directly impacts on their lives.”

The submission of the town’s Neighbourhood Plan follows council leader Cllr Michael Jones’ support for plans from across the borough that would shape development in the area.

Sandbach Town Council covers a semi-rural area with close to 18k inhabitants.

The town’s mayor, Cllr Gillian Merry, commented: “Sandbach Neighbourhood Development Plan has reached an important milestone as it progresses through formal planning requirements.

“Sandbach Town Council is grateful that the working group has pursued its project plan with enthusiasm and commitment.”

She added: “There is some way to go yet, but I am confident that in early 2016 we will have a Neighbourhood Development Plan we can all support.”

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