Site LPS 23: Radway Green Brownfield, Alsager

The regeneration and redevelopment of Radway Green Brownfield over the Local Plan Strategy period will be achieved through:

  1. 10 hectares of employment land;
  2. Incorporation of green infrastructure;
  3. Pedestrian and cycle links to new and existing residential areas and shops; and
  4. On site provision, or where appropriate, relevant contributions towards transport and highways.

Site Specific Principles of Development

  1. A minimum of a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment for contaminated land should be carried out to demonstrate that the site is, or could be made, suitable for use should it be found to be contaminated. Further work, including a site investigation and remediation as necessary, may be required at a pre-planning stage, depending on the nature of the site.
  2. Contributions to M6 junction 16 improvements and the railway level crossing on Radway Green Road.
  3. A desk based archaeological assessment shall be carried out to determine if any future evaluation/mitigation will be needed and a programme of archaeological building recording (at level 2 as defined in English Heritage 2006, Understanding Historic Buildings p.14) undertaken for those buildings and structures associated with the ordnance factory during the Second and Cold Wars.
  4. The site will be developed only where it can be demonstrated that there is no adverse impact on the Midland Meres and Mosses Phase 2 Ramsar and Oakhanger Moss SSSI, particularly in relation to changes in water levels and quality and recreational pressures. This should include a Habitats Regulations Assessment of the direct and indirect impacts of the development on the features of special interest. Where impacts cannot be avoided, with appropriate mitigation measures will be required to ensure no adverse effects on the integrity of sites.

Justification

15.291 Radway Green Brownfield is a well-established mixed-use employment area, offering office, industrial and research, and development workspace. It is located to the south west of Alsager and to the north east of junction 16 of the M6 motorway. Surrounding uses include employment and open countryside.

15.292 The Employment Land Review identified the area adjacent to this site as well-established, attractive to the logistics sector, and in a good commercial location. It recommended that the site continue in employment use.

15.293 The council will support the incorporation of green infrastructure for the purposes of screening and environmental improvement.

15.294 The possibility of contamination resulting from the industrial use of the site must be fully appraised.

15.295 An archaeological assessment will be required, to ensure that there will not be an impact on undesignated heritage assets. The Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF no. 13) is a non-designated heritage asset recorded on the Cheshire Historic Environment Record (CHER 4122) and was established in 1940 to produce .303 ammunition. Many of the extant buildings are visible on 1940s RAF aerial photographs of the site held in the HER and therefore date to the Second World War. Furthermore, these buildings continued in use into the equally significant Cold War period and some of the later supporting buildings will date from this period.

15.296 Details of Construction Environment Management Plans, landscaping, green infrastructure and open space proposals should be submitted to the council during any future planning application process on this site as part of sustainable development proposals and their proximity to a European site (consisting of either Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and / or Ramsar sites).

15.297 The council expects that the following are considered in the context of the ecological value of the site due to its proximity to a European site (consisting of either a Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and/or Ramsar site):

15.298 Any development proposal should take into consideration the policy requirements set out in Policy CO 2 'Enabling Business Growth Through Transport Infrastructure', and the need to improve sustainable travel options particularly in the wider cross border context.

Indicative Site Delivery

Policy information

 

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