FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We are planning to create a modern workspace, set within a rich natural and landscaped environment, which promotes health and wellbeing.

We want to create new, open spaces, which allow businesses and local neighbours to connect with nature and provide a setting to explore the areas diverse landscape.

The business park itself will be comprised of around six acres of office space, 32 acres of logistics space, and 32 acres for light manufacturing and industrial space.

Setting the business park within a calm, green, and natural environment, will provide workers with an uplifting and attractive workplace.

The site falls within the Basford East strategic employment led allocation designated in the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy 2010 – 2030 (‘CELPS’) which makes up part of the Development Plan for the area.

We anticipate that approximately 2,900 jobs will be created by these proposals, including 165 during the construction phase.

The site is located in the south-eastern part of Crewe, Cheshire. It is bordered by the West Coast Main Line to the west, the Stoke-on-Trent / Nottingham rail line to the north, agricultural land to the east and the A500 to the south.

We are at an early stage of the planning process, and discussions with prospective tenants are ongoing.

However, given the fantastic location of the site, we know demand will be high amongst a range of business including office, light industrial and logistics.

This is a fantastic location for businesses and workers. The rich green landscaped setting, combined with the scale of the opportunity to bring forward a well-considered and comprehensive masterplan, which incorporates high quality design proposals for buildings and infrastructure.

It can be readily accessed by foot, bicycle, or public transport, and enjoys good connectivity with local neighbourhoods. Crewe Train Station is only a 5 mins drive, or under 20 mins via bicycle. With dual carriageway access to the nearby M6, more than 67% of the UK population can be reached within 4.5 hours drive. This is a real bonus for businesses looking to access domestic markets, or international markets via Liverpool Docks.

The site is allocated for development in the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy 2010-2030 (CELPS) under Policy LPS2. This policy allocated land for employment led re-development.

We are planning to create spaces with extensive landscaping, green spaces, and ponds, to provide a setting which protects existing wildlife and ecology.

The plans have been designed to be as sustainable as possible, reflecting the declaration of a climate emergency by Cheshire East Council.

The planning application will be accompanied by an Environmental Statement which will assess the impacts on the environment and identify any mitigation measures, if required.

The majority of the site lies in Flood Zone 1 meaning that there is less than 1 in 1,000 annual probabilities of river or sea flooding.

However, a Flood Risk Assessment will also be submitted alongside the planning application which will provide analysis of any flood risks undertaken by the project team and any required mitigation measures.

Noise mitigation has been designed into the fabric of the scheme; key features include:

• Consideration of the external envelope of the buildings.

• Selection and design of any mechanical services plant serving the development.

• Acoustic barriers / bunds.

A detailed air quality impact assessment will be submitted alongside any future planning application.

An air quality assessment undertaken at the Site found that the local air quality impact of emissions from traffic associated with the proposed development on the surrounding road network is predicted to be negligible following completion of the site, as such, mitigation measures are not required as part of the development.

Overall, with the recommended mitigation measures in place (construction phase only), the proposals would be compliant with legislation and policy.

A detailed traffic impact assessment will be undertaken to determine the unmitigated impact of the proposals on the local highway network. Where necessary, mitigation will then be identified, such as works to key junctions or improvements proposed to pedestrian and cycle links.

The site is situated in a high sustainable location, within walking distance of key local amenities.

A number of local traffic‐free cycle routes are situated within 2 kilometres of the site, to the north an off-road cycle lane runs north along the length of University Way to the Sydney Road/A534/Crewe Road/A5020 roundabout junction. These cycle facilities link with Sustrans Route 451 which provides access to Sandbach and Nantwich.

The level of cycle parking within the development will be agreed with the local highways officers at CEC at a more advanced stage of the planning process. It is proposed that covered cycle parking is to be provided in line with CEC’s parking standards.

The nearest bus stops to the site is located north of the site 1050m away along the A532 Weston Road. These bus stops can be accessed by using existing public footpaths which lead to the A532 Weston Road. Additional bus stops are located to the north‐east of the site further along Weston Road.

The nearest bus stops to the site provide an hourly service throughout the day to destinations such as Crewe, Nantwich and Newcastle Town Centre.

These services provide a choice of how people travel with the bus services operating from around 06:18 to around 20:26, making travel by public transport a real alternative to travelling by car for commuting trips.

Crewe train station is located approximately 2.5 kilometres north‐west from the site. The station is accessible via a circa 28 minute walk or via a short walk and circa 4‐minute bus journey. In addition, given the existing and proposed pedestrian/cycle infrastructure, this will provide the opportunity for residents, employees and visitors to travel to train station by sustainable modes.

This station is managed by Avanti West Coast Trains and has 12 platforms, offering daily services to destinations nationwide.

The entrance of the Basford East employment site would be situated off David Whitby way.

The development will include Green Infrastructure links with pedestrian and cycle ways to provide attractive connections to the South Cheshire Growth Village, South East Crewe to encourage active and sustainable travel

There are a number of ways you can have a say on our proposals, such as calling the community information line on 0333 358 0502 (Monday to Friday - 9:00am to 5:30pm) or completing a feedback form online at WestonM6consutlation.co.uk/have-your-say You can also email us at WestonM6@havingyoursay.co.uk

We are undertaking public consultation in October 2022, with a view to submitting a hybrid planning application by November 2022.

Our aim is to submit a hybrid planning application (part outline, part detailed). This will include:

1. Full planning permission for the first phase of the development, comprising three units in the northern part of the site, together with landscaping including buffers, sustainable drainage features, pedestrian linkages, ecological enhancements and other associated works and infrastructure.
2. Outline planning permission for the remainder of the development.

A series of parameters plans will be submitted in support of the ‘outline’ element of the application covering a range of matters including floorspace limits, maximum building heights and landscaping principles, which will guide the preparation of future reserved matters applications. It is anticipated that a hybrid planning application would be submitted later this year.