A NEW stage ihas started in the creation of a plan for the future of west Cheshire.

Government planning inspector Kevin Ward will be working with Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) on modifications to the Local Plan.

He has written to the authority confirming that it has complied with its legal duty to co-operate with neighbouring authorities and other organisations in developing its plan.

He has also confirmed that the blueprint to guide the development of prosperity of the area can, in planning terms, be ‘made sound’ through main modifications.

The inspector’s letter follows his recent three-week public examination of the plan at Chester Town Hall.

Modifications will be subject to sustainability appraisal and six weeks of public consultation.

Clr Lynda Jones, CWAC’s executive member for growth and prosperity, said: “Given the sheer scale and complexity of a plan which will cover so many crucial issues we fully expected the inspector to identify the need for modifications.

“Indeed, during the examination process we had invited the inspector to make modifications and also submitted a number of our own recommendations to the examination hearing.”

She added: “At this stage, we have no idea what modifications the inspector will require, but we have already asked for guidance on timescale and look forward to working with him.”

CWAC’s Local Plan covers crucial issues ranging from housing, employment and the environment and the greenbelt to the economy, transport, heritage, landscape and health and wellbeing.