We want your feedback on our Neighbourhood Plan

For the past four years Ollerton with Marthall Parish Council has been preparing a Neighbourhood Plan for the parish. This is in line with government policy under the Localism Act of 2012, which encourages the production of such plans to give localities a meaningful say in the planning rules of Cheshire East’s Local Plan.

What is a Neighbourhood Plan?

• A Neighbourhood Plan is an opportunity for every resident to have a say in how Ollerton with Marthall Parish Council should develop up to 2031 to meet local needs.
• Neighbourhood Plans are important planning documents. When completed and accepted, the plan will have legal status for planning purposes. Cheshire East planners must use the plan, alongside their local plan, to determine planning decisions of future development in the parish.
• The Neighbourhood Plan must conform to the principles and strategies of the Cheshire East Local Plan and although our plan cannot stop future development, it will give us a major say in influencing and shaping that development.
• There are lots of Neighbourhood Plans in Cheshire East underway or completed. They are being used successfully to help decide planning applications and have been used to fight appeals.
• A Neighbourhood Plan can allocate sites for development and can have a number of policies covering planning issues such as housing, local character and design, the natural environment, community facilities and more.
• The plan is a community plan not a Parish Council Plan, although the Parish Council had overall responsibility for the process

Why has a Neighbourhood Plan been produced?

• We are blessed to live in a beautiful area of rural Cheshire and we want to use the plan to protect the natural environment, wildlife sites, trees, footpaths and dark skies we enjoy.
• Preserve the heritage of the parish maintaining local distinctiveness and character.
• Ensure that housing is built on previously developed land, not “green belt” and new houses provide smaller houses that are actually needed by locals.
• Protect green spaces and community facilities.
• Improve transport and safety and to facilitate cycling and walking.
• Support the rural economy and agriculture and new small businesses.

What’s next?

• We will be posting letters and questionnaires inviting you to look at the Neighbourhood Plan and provide any comments you may have. There is also a replied paid envelope for you to post back the questionnaire.
• If you would prefer to send your comments electronically you can do this quickly and easily using the following link http://owmpc.org.uk/survey14
• The Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed online at http://owmpc.org.uk/np
• We will be holding sessions for the public to come and discuss the Neighbourhood Plan at Marthall Village Hall on the following dates, where we will be happy to answer any questions you have

Tuesday 17th May 2022 1pm - 4pm

Wednesday 18th May 2022 7pm - 10pm

Please ensure that all your responses are posted before 7th June or sent electronically before the 12th of June.

We look forward to answering any questions you may have and reading your responses.