Project initiation document

Executive Summary: Cheshire East Local Plan Project Initiation Document (PID)

30th October 2026

Whilst a Project Initiation Document is not a required regulatory document, it is intended to assist interested stakeholders in understanding the Council’s approach to managing the production of the Local Plan.

This document is an executive summary of the full PID which is a separate and more detailed document.

Plan Scope

Role of Plan

The Local Plan will guide how Cheshire East grows and develops over the coming years. It will set planning policies for housing, employment, infrastructure, design, the natural environment and climate change, and will form the main basis for determining planning applications.

Plan Scope

The Local Plan will establish a long-term vision and strategy for the borough. It will identify future development needs, allocate land where required, protect important environmental assets, support sustainable growth and ensure development is supported by appropriate infrastructure with Cheshire East.

Relationship to Other Relevant Plans and Programmes

The Local Plan will be prepared alongside national planning policy and will align with relevant council strategies, infrastructure plans, environmental objectives and any wider strategic planning arrangements (such as Spatial Development Strategies) arising through the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority. It will help deliver broader priorities for places, communities, transport, the economy and the environment.

Plan Timeline

Plan Stage

The project is currently in the preparation and mobilisation stage, known as the ‘Getting Ready’ phase and transitioning into the ‘Plan Preparation’ stage via publication of the Council’s Gateway 1 self-assessment. This work is intended to ensure that the council has the governance, resources, evidence and project management arrangements necessary to begin formal plan preparation.

Plan Timeline

The programme will follow the stages set out in the new plan-making system and anticipates adoption in early 2029. Key milestones include Gateway 1, vision and strategy development, establishing a preferred spatial option, preparation of a draft plan, further gateway assessments, independent examination and eventual adoption.

Governance and Decision-Making

Summary of Governance

The Local Plan is being managed through a clear governance structure involving elected members, senior officers and project management arrangements. Key decisions will be taken at defined stages throughout the process.

Council Lead (Portfolio Holder)

The relevant Cabinet Member will provide political leadership and oversight, helping ensure the Local Plan reflects council priorities and community needs.

A senior council officer will act as project sponsor (Executive Director of Place), providing strategic oversight and ensuring the necessary resources and support are in place. Senior officers will regularly review progress and address key issues and risks.

Project Management and Staff Resources

Leader / Manager

The Strategic and Environmental Planning manager will manage the day-to-day delivery of the Local Plan programme and coordinate all workstreams.

Team

The Strategic Planning Team area a dedicated multidisciplinary team and will lead plan preparation, drawing on expertise in planning policy, environmental assessment, infrastructure planning, engagement and programme management.

Project Manager

Project management arrangements will ensure delivery against programme milestones, effective coordination of tasks and active monitoring of risks and dependencies.

Corporate Support

The project will be supported by a wide range of council services, including legal, finance, communications, transport, housing, environmental and economic development teams. The preparation of some Local Plan evidence will be led by non-planning teams.

External Support Needs

Specialist consultants have been, and will be commissioned where additional expertise is required, particularly for technical evidence and examination support.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

The Council will use AI to support its plan making, in alignment with guidance provided by government guidance and the Royal Town Planning Institute. The Council may be used to support research, analysis, drafting, consultation analysis and project administration where appropriate. AI will support rather than replace professional planning judgement, and officers remain responsible for checking and validating outputs before they are relied upon or published. Use will comply with the Council's approved AI, information governance and data-protection requirements.

Evidence

Core Evidence Required

The Local Plan will be informed by a comprehensive evidence base. This is expected to include assessments relating to housing need, employment land, infrastructure, transport, the environment, climate change, viability, health, design and sustainability. Evidence will be prepared throughout the programme, regularly published online and updated where necessary.

Stakeholder Engagement

Engagement Approach

Meaningful engagement will be undertaken throughout the process. Local communities, businesses, infrastructure providers, neighbouring authorities, statutory consultees and other stakeholders will have opportunities to shape the Local Plan at key stages. Engagement will be proportionate, inclusive and transparent with a digital first but not a digital only approach. Wider digital consultation methods will be ran alongside deeper more qualitative workshops and a series of Community Assemblies.

Budget

Financial control

Oversight and financial control is provided through governance arrangements reporting to the project sponsor with issues budget planning and management escalated through the Councils Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) on an annual basis.

Staff Costs

Funding will be allocated to provide the staff resources necessary to prepare and manage the Local Plan programme.

Evidence Budget

Evidence is forward planned and costed. Resources will be made available to commission and update the technical evidence required to support plan preparation.

Consultancy Support

Provision has been made for specialist consultancy advice where additional expertise is required. Consultancy support is also forward planed through governance arrangements and considered via the MTFS process related to Local Plan budget.

Examination Costs

The budget includes funding for the independent examination process and related activities, including sourcing venues, materials and the costs of a Programme Support Officer.

Contingency

Appropriate contingency funding will be maintained to respond to emerging requirements, programme changes or unforeseen costs and considered via the Council’s MTFS.

Risk Management

Key Risks

Potential risks include changes to national policy, delays in evidence preparation, alignment to emerging Spatial Development Strategies (via the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority) resource constraints, programme slippage and legal or procedural challenges.

Mitigation Measures

Risks will be actively managed through programme monitoring, early planning, resource management, governance oversight and regular review of project progress and reporting of such to the programme sponsor.

Risk Management Process

A project risk register has been established and will be maintained throughout the programme and reviewed regularly by officers and senior management.

Approvals

Officer Approval

Aligned to the Council’s constitution and scheme of officer delegation, senior officers will oversee project delivery and approve key outputs before they progress through the decision-making process.

Member Approval

Elected members will consider and approve major stages of plan preparation in accordance with the council's governance arrangements.

Corporate Sign-off

Corporate oversight will help ensure that the Local Plan remains aligned with council priorities, available resources and statutory requirements. Key decisions and briefings will be considered via the Council’s Cabinet and lead Portfolio Holder for the programme.

Version Control

Version History

The PID will be maintained as a live document throughout the Local Plan process.

Amendments Log

Significant revisions will be recorded to provide transparency and maintain an audit trail.

Review Dates

The PID will be reviewed at key milestones, aligned to the Gateway stages, to ensure it remains accurate, relevant and aligned with the evolving programme.