Neighbourhood Plan
Lower Peover public consultation
Neighbourhood Development Plan Launch Questionnaire 2026
Have your say about the future of Lower Peover Parish
You can give your views by:
• completing the questionnaire on paper
• by email neighbourhoodplan@lowerpeoverparishcouncil.gov.uk
• or by talking to one of our volunteers who will take notes of your views.
• by completing the questionnaire online here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LPNDPQURV1
or by following this QR code
The Consultation closes on 11th October 2026
• Personal information such as name, address, email address are required only to ensure the results of the consultation are generated fairly.
• All personal information will be kept separately from the questionnaire responses, which will be anonymous.
This is the presentation from the public meetings in September 2026
Lower Peover Neighbourhood Plan Vision
Rural Character and Environment
Over the next twenty years, Lower Peover will remain a rural village that is clearly recognisable in appearance and character. The protection of nature and biodiversity will be central to how the village evolves.
Housing and Local Economy
New housing will reflect the village’s existing character and scale, meeting the needs of both current and future residents without large-scale estate development. Business growth will build on Lower Peover’s farming traditions and entrepreneurial spirit, while public services will be maintained.
Identity, Heritage and Community
Any future change will respect and preserve the village’s unique culture, identity and heritage. Community life will continue to flourish through local events, groups and the celebration of Lower Peover’s shared history.
Minutes of Meetings of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group
Neighbourhood Plan Update March 2026
As reported in previous newsletters the Parish Council has decided to advance work to produce a Neighbourhood Plan. A sub team has been formed, consisting of Councillors and volunteers from the community and the team has been investigating the best way to resource such a project.
In January the sub team reported back to the Parish Council recommending that the proposed neighbourhood area designation process should be started with both Cheshire East and Chester and Cheshire West local authorities and the Parish Council has now started that process. The team also recommended that a professional consultant led approach should be undertaken (rather than volunteer led) and as a result quotes are currently being obtained from suitable consultants and the Parish Council has planned accordingly for such costs when the 26-27 budget was set in the January Parish Council meeting.
Below we have provided some initial information on the why, and how this will be achieved, with the support of the Lower Peover community.
A Neighbourhood Plan is a community-led framework to guide the future development, regeneration and conservation of an area and has more scope than existing Parish Plans. It deals with a wide range of social, economic and environmental issues (such as housing, employment, heritage and transport) based on robust evidence, including views from residents. Often specialist Consultants are employed to assist with the 2-year process as this is a complex legal document.
Why develop a Neighbourhood Plan?
A Neighbourhood Plan will enable the Parish residents to play a much stronger role in shaping the area in which they live and work as decisions on planning applications will be made using both the Council Local Plan and the Neighbourhood Plan. Unusually in Lower Peover we have both Cheshire West and Chester. and Cheshire East councils to work with. This adds an additional burden to the development and implementation of the Neighbourhood Plan and is a further reason why Consultants will be used to assist in developing the document.
A Neighbourhood Plan provides a positive vision for how residents want their community to develop over the next 10, 15, 20 years in ways that meet identified local need and make sense for local people. It addresses the development and use of land, transport and services. Applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
What evidence is needed to form a Neighbourhood Plan?
The list of evidence comes from consultation with residents, local groups, transport and highways users, local businesses and specialist interest groups from the area all within the confines of local planning. Many Parish councils in the area have already, or are developing a Neighbourhood Plan, as this is one of the tools that district council and Government agencies must consult when considering planning developments.
Most importantly the Neighbourhood Plan is created through detailed consultation with the residents of the Parish, so you will have your opportunity to provide inputs to the process. More information will be shared about this in due course. In the meantime, if you wish to get more involved in the Neighbourhood Plan Sub Team, please contact Councillor Jackson