MIDDLEWICH’S emerging Neighbourhood Plan has advanced to the examination stage, while neighbouring village Moston sees its plan cleared for a referendum.

The plans, which complement the borough council’s Local Plan and help communities shape and influence development in their area, are each nearing the end of a long process.

Middlewich’s draft plan has now been endorsed by Cheshire East Council and passed on for independent examination, alongside comments from relevant bodies including developers and other agencies.

Inspector Patrick Whitehead is set to conduct a site visit this week, and should publish his report within the next six weeks.

Developers including Persimmon and Gladman have called for amendments, although Cheshire East Council say the plan meets ‘basic conditions’ and legal requirements.

A Cheshire East Council spokesman said: “The borough council congratulates the town council on preparing a clear and comprehensive Neighbourhood Plan and for the way in which the plan has been prepared, closely involving the local community.

“In particular it is notable that the town council has grappled with a wide range of planning issues and set out a positive approach to some of the key local priorities such as the town centre and the identification of areas that could positively contribute to that agenda.

“The plan is the product of a very significant amount of hard work by volunteers and continuous engagement with the local community which has clearly shaped the content of the plan.

“It is evident from the submitted consultation statement that residents, businesses and other organisations have had significant opportunities to input into the development of the plan.”

Moston’s plan is one stage further, having been inspected and returned for modifications

Inspector Wendy Burden said: “I commend Moston Parish Council and in particular the Neighbourhood Plan steering group on their hard work and commitment in producing a neighbourhood plan which seeks to fulfil the wishes and aspirations of their local community whilst meeting the requirements of national and local plan policy.

“The plan is well written and clear in its intentions. With the recommended modifications, it should provide an effective plan for the management of the future planning of Moston.”

A key point of the Moston plan is to amend the imbalance of house sizes, with a push towards building well-designed, ‘appropriate scale’ smaller homes in reach of services.