Fisher German is well placed in the north west region to provide clients with comprehensive town planning and building surveying advice.

We are currently advising clients who wish to progress development opportunities for their land and buildings on a range of schemes across Cheshire, the Wirral, Staffordshire and North Wales.

Central to the planning system is the role of Local Plans and Neighbourhood Plans in determining where development will take place. Each local planning authority should produce a Local Plan for its area, which sets out the opportunities for development and clear policies on what will or will not be permitted and where.

 

Communities, whether a parish or town council, forum or community organisation, have the option to prepare Neighbourhood Plans. These plans can also set policies to determine planning decisions, but must be in general conformity with any strategic policies in a Local Plan (such as housing and employment land requirements, or areas of protection).

 

It is important to understand if and when a development proposal is best progressed through a speculative planning application and/or as a site promotion thorough an emerging Local Plan.

 

Across the north west there are numerous opportunities available to promote sites through local plans and neighbourhood plans. Fisher German can advise landowners and prospective developers on opportunities to submit sites and influence emerging policies.

In Cheshire West and Chester, the Council is currently consulting on their ‘Part Two’ Local Plan which sets out small site allocations across the area’s towns and villages.

 

There is an opportunity now to promote sites within or on the edges of these settlements and Fisher German can advise on how to engage with this process. Consultation closes on 23 September.

 

There are ‘call for sites’ opportunities open in other areas at present. The Greater Manchester authorities are preparing a joint plan to manage the supply of land across their region and are asking landowners to identify sites for these uses. Cheshire East Council is also inviting site submissions across their towns and villages, which will feed into their ‘Part Two’ Local Plan early next year. Finally, Lichfield Council is consulting on the key issues for their ‘Part 2’ Local Plan Allocations document until 10 October; this includes an opportunity to submit sites for development.  

 

These consultations, along with the neighborhood planning progress in many parishes, presents opportunities for landowners to consider if and how development proposals can be progressed. If you wish to discuss what opportunities are available for your sites, then please contact our north west regional planner Ian Stevens on 01244 409668 or email ian.stevens@fishergerman.co.uk