Failure to consult with residents in the south of the Borough at odds with the democratic process.

Concerned that the assumed economic growth has been over estimated, no account of the pandemic and its impact. Sites allocated for employment will attract fewer jobs due to automation therefore there will be a lower demand for housing. Incorrect assumptions on growth will impact on any housing figures.

The plan proposes a figure for build out rates which almost double of that currently achieved, this is flawed. Providing more homes than is needed will put a disproportionate pressure on Green Belt sites at the expense of Town Centre locations.

There is likely to be a change in how housing needs are assessed and the plan should incorporate these changes before submission.

Failure to address poor air quality. The current proposals are prejudicial to a brownfield first approach. Timetabled policies which will specify the development of brownfield land first should be in the plan. Proposed sites are too far from the town centre and facilities and there no provision of a public transport network to support allocations in the south, this will mean new residents will need to travel by car, overloading a an already congested network. This is will be exacerbated by no additional crossings over the canal. The additional vehicular traffic from proposed development will add to air pollution in south Warrington. The new housing proposed in the SWUE is near to the M56 and the residents are likely to suffer from extra air pollution as a result as well as more traffic noise. The expected rise in electric vehicle ownership is unlikely to offset the impact of 4,000 new homes and associated cars.

If residents of new homes in south Warrington are to use sustainable transport then the developments will need to provide a range of facilities (health, leisure and education). Policies in the plan are not clear if and when this money will be available. These need to come forward in a timely manner.

If the local plan is to meet its objective of creating sustainable places to live and work to address climate change then the absence of any major public transport proposals is a concern. If there is no expansion of the public transport network then development should be located near existing transport hubs in the town centre.

The plan does little to drive forward the economic prosperity of the town. The pandemic has drastically changed the face of retail and the plan fails to set out a clear strategic advantage that a more ambitious approach to housing that could be taken in the town centre.

The opportunity to secure the long- term development of Fiddlers Ferry site. Release of this site would reduce the need to release more Green Belt.

The plan misses an opportunity to provide more affordable homes by only specifying 20% affordable homes on town centre sites whilst seeking 30% on Green Belt sites. Those in out of town locations in affordable properties will need to spend more of their limited money on travel to get to their jobs.

No justification for the predicted housing growth and therefore the volume of allocations is not justified. The focus should be on brownfield. Lack of a plan to reduce congestion in south Warrington and increased traffic from allocations will make queues and air quality worse.