We have received the following from the Council:

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Dear Sir/Madam,

You may be aware that the Council’s Spatial Planning team is currently preparing a Green Belt Study to inform the preparation of the new Borough-wide Local Plan.

In case you missed the previous opportunity to comment on the study, we would like to invite you to another drop- in session where our draft findings will be displayed and Spatial Planning Officers will be available to explain the results and answer any questions that you have on the study.

The Council would like to have your views on the assessments we have made so far.

 The purpose of the Study is to assess how well the areas of Green Belt land around Chester currently meet the 5 purposes of including land in the Green Belt as set out in national planning policy, namely the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The five stated purposes are:

• to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas;
•  to prevent neighbouring towns from merging into one another;
• to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;
• to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and
  • to assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban      land.

A link is provided to the National Planning Policy Framework for your information:

http://communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/nppf

A note, with maps of the study areas and draft findings which explains the study and the methodology can be accessed via the following ink:

http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your_council/policies_and_performance/council_plans_and_strategies/planning_policy.aspx

I must stress that the Council has not made a decision at this point whether or not to promote a change to the Green Belt boundary around Chester through the Local Plan. This study is one piece of work or “evidence” that will help to inform that decision.

It is anticipated that the Council will consult on a Local Plan “preferred Options” paper in the autumn which will set out the proposed long term planning strategy for the Borough. It will include the proposed approach towards Chester’s future growth. This will comprise a period of consultation during which residents and organisations will be able to comment on these draft proposals. There will be subsequent opportunities to comment on the Local Plan as the process moves forward.

The drop-in session will be held on:

Tuesday 1^st May 2012 between 10am and 7pm at The Wesley Church Centre, St John Street, Chester, CH1 1DA

 Information and details of the venue can be viewed via the following link:

 http://www.wesleychester.co.uk/

We hope that you will be able to attend.

Kind regards

Jeremy Owens
Strategic Manager – Spatial Planning

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Location: Spatial Planning, 2nd Floor, The Forum Offices, Chester, CH1 2HS
Visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Consultation Portal: http://consult.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/portal