Policy CO 2: Enabling business growth through transport infrastructure

The council will support new developments that are (or can be made) well connected and accessible by:

  1. Minimising the future need to travel by locating new development in locations where there is a good range of housing, jobs, shops and services already accessible by public transport, cycling and walking footnote 85.
  2. Enabling development by supporting transport infrastructure, regeneration and / or behaviour change initiatives that will mitigate the potential impact of development proposals footnote 86 including:
    1. Supporting schemes outlined within the current Infrastructure Delivery Plan / Local Transport Plan;
    2. Where new or improved infrastructure is provided, supporting measures to improve the walking, cycling and sustainable travel environment on routes relieved of traffic;
    3. Supporting improvements to communication technology for business, education, shopping and leisure purposes;
    4. Supporting the improvement of rail infrastructure - especially facilities at railway stations;
    5. Supporting the improvement of national motorway network facilities, where appropriate;
    6. Providing recharging points for hybrid or electric vehicles in major developments in order to reduce carbon emissions; and
    7. For residential and non-residential development, where there is clear and compelling justification that is it necessary to manage the road network, proposals should adhere to the current adopted Cheshire East Council Parking Standards for Cars and Bicycles set out in Appendix C (Parking Standards).
  3. The council will support the economic benefits of High Speed 2 whilst ensuring that environmental and community impacts are minimised. Safeguarding Directions for Phases 2a and 2b of High Speed 2 (January and November 2016) are in place and are shown on the Policies Map and the relevant Figures within the Crewe section of Chapter 15 of this document, along with further detail within the Policy for site LPS 3 'Basford West'.
  4. The council will work with neighbouring transport authorities and support proposals which mitigate the wider impacts of development and improve connectivity, particularly by public transport, so that the opportunities provided by economic growth can be accessible to a wider population. Where appropriate, developers will be required to provide information on cross boundary impacts and how these will be addressed through improvements to sustainable travel options, which may include contributions to cross boundary transport strategies where they exist. 
  5. Proposals for the safeguarding of disused transport corridors will be supported. Recreational and appropriate uses for disused transport corridors may be allowed provided they do not preclude eventual re-use for transport purposes or impact on public safety footnote 87.

Provision of sufficient areas of open space to the south and east of Hollyhedge Farmhouse to maintain its open rural setting;Provision of a substantial landscaped edge to the south/south east of the development parcel immediately to the south of the railway line (on the opposite side of Main Road to Hollyhedge Farm).  This should combine a mix of copse and individual tree planting contained by a new native hedgerow.  At the point nearest Hollyhedge Farm in the south eastern corner, a copse should be created.  It should include woodland planting on the western edge of the parcel, tying in with the woodland buffer of the Basford East site; Provision of open space and appropriate parkland landscaping alongside the access/drive and to the south of Crewe Hall Farmhouse and associated barnProvision of an area of greenspace to the east of Stowford hamlet, retaining the existing pond, trees and other positive planting as a key space within the development; 

Justification

14.17 Paragraph 17 of the NPPF states that 'significant development should be focused in locations which are or can be made sustainable' . Good transport connections are integral to our ambitious plans for economic growth and to the protection of our environment to ensure a sustainable future for all our residents and businesses.

14.18 A selection of the major highway schemes listed in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan include:

14.19 The council is committed to working with adjacent local authorities to mitigate the impact of cross boundary travel. A refresh of the SEMMMS  study is underway between Cheshire East and Greater Manchester Authorities and a cross boundary strategy will also be prepared with Staffordshire County Council and related Authorities. Developments may be required to contribute to any identified measures where appropriate. Public funding for transport interventions will also be sought where appropriate.

14.20 Climate change is nationally recognised as one of the most important challenges facing our society. Transport accounts for 25% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the UK and personal car travel is the single biggest contributor to individual CO2 emissions.

14.21 Statistics indicate that, in 2011, Cheshire East’s residents, commerce and industry and other non-residential energy uses resulted in carbon dioxide emissions of 3.159m tonnes. This equates to 8.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions per person, which is more than the regional average of 7.0 tonnes per person. However, CO2 emissions per person have fallen in recent years: from 10.6 tonnes in 2005 and 9.2 tonnes in 2010footnote 88. This has implications for local, regional and national air quality.

14.22 One of the most important ways of reducing carbon emissions is to reduce the need to travel, particularly by private car, and to encourage more sustainable modes of transport such as cycling, walking, buses and trains. Development should be located in areas close to existing facilities and shops, and to transport hubs and bus routes. Maintaining or increasing the mix of uses in an area reduces the need to travel, as well as adding vitality and diversity.

14.23 The improvement of key transport links on the highway network will allow a better use of the network for bus users and cyclists. There is also the potential for high occupancy vehicle lanes to be provided in the future.

14.24 Another key element is to facilitate, where possible, ICT, broadband and other technologies that remove the need to travel and to facilitate local access to these technologies.  A flexible approach to the emergence and uptake of new technologies will also be required where these offer attractive and affordable communication or transport solutions.

14.25 The council will seek to ensure that development includes adequate parking provision for bicycles. It will also seek to ensure that development includes adequate car parking provision where there is clear and compelling justification that is it necessary to manage the road network. Provision should be based on the car parking standards set out in Appendix C.

14.26 There is a case for Britain to develop a high-speed rail network, primarily because there is a need for additional rail capacity in the future if we are to keep our economy moving. Building a high-speed railway (rather than a conventional speed one) is the best way to do this, as the faster journey times encourage people to switch from other, more carbon-hungry, modes of transport such as aviation or car. Building new fast lines also frees up space on the current railway system to allow more commuter or freight services, delivering further economic and environmental benefits.

14.27 High Speed 2 (HS2) is the most significant transport infrastructure project in the UK since the motorways were built in the 1950s and 1960s. It will provide a high speed rail line between London and Birmingham and on to Manchester and Leeds. Further details regarding HS2 will be included in the Site Allocations and Development Policies Development Plan Document.

 Key Evidence

  1. Cheshire East Local Transport Plan 2011-2026
  2. Cheshire East Infrastructure Delivery Plan
  3. Cheshire East Local Transport Plan - Implementation Plan 2011-15
  4. Cheshire East Council's Business Travel Planning Guidance
  5. Cheshire East Parking Guidance
  6. Town Strategies for Alsager, Crewe, Congleton, Handforth, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Middlewich, Nantwich, Poynton, Sandbach and Wilmslow.
  7. Cheshire East - Staffordshire Cross Boundary Study (2016). 

(Footnote 85) In line with Policy S1: Spatial Planning of the Local Transport Plan 2011-2026

(Footnote 86) In line with Policy B2: Enabling Development of the Local Transport Plan 2011-2026

(Footnote 87) This applies to sites of former railway stations, sidings etc, as well as to the alignment of the line. Such areas can provide essential space for interchanges, car parking, or other facilities associated with the new transport route.

(Footnote 88) Local and Regional CO2 Emissions Estimates for 2005-11, produced by Richardo-AEA for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Jul 2013. www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-energy-climate-change/series/sub-national-greenhouse-gas-emissions-statistics.

Policy information

 

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