Residents can have a say on updating the borough’s local plan

RESIDENTS of Warrington are being invited to have a say on updating the borough council’s local plan – the document designed to ensure the town grows sustainably and meets new government requirements.

The Government requires Warrington to update the plan to respond to the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
This will help Warrington plan properly for the higher housing requirement the Government has set for the borough. The plan will be more digital and streamlined, aiming to provide a clear vision for future development in Warrington.

Warrington’s local plan is an important blueprint that guides where new homes, businesses, and shops should be built. It also helps protect the environment and ensures the right infrastructure – such as schools, roads, and GP surgeries – is in place to support a growing population.
Without an up to date plan, Warrington could see unplanned development, making it harder to provide the roads, services and green spaces needed for a growing population.
The first stage, known as the “Scoping Consultation,” opens on Thursday April 16 and runs until 5pm on Monday June 1. The council wants to hear from residents, businesses, and community groups about what the plan should contain and how future engagement should be carried out.
Key areas of discussion include:
• How to tackle climate change and protect green spaces.
• Where new housing and jobs should be located.
• How to improve health facilities and transport links.
• Whether the current vision for Warrington is still fit for the future.
Alongside the consultation, the council is also launching a “Call for Sites.” Landowners, developers, residents and community groups are invited to suggest specific pieces of land that could be suitable for development. Submitting a site does not mean it will be included in the plan; all suggestions will be strictly assessed for their suitability and impact on the community.
Cllr Hans Mundry, leader of the council (pictured above), said: “Our local plan is vital in shaping the future of our town for the next generation. We need to ensure Warrington remains a fantastic place to live and work, with the right services and green spaces to support our residents.

” The new local plan will need to respond to the Government’s requirement for additional housing to support our growing population, and with that we need to ensure that we have enough jobs for people, so we need to have an up-to-date plan in place to manage this growth. Without one, we risk losing control over where developers build. I encourage everyone to take part in this consultation—your feedback is essential to getting this right.”
Residents can view all the Local Plan documents on the council’s web site and provide feedback in the following ways:
• Online: Visit the council’s updated Local Plan web page and complete the online survey
• Email: localplan@warrington.gov.uk
• Post: Local Plan, Planning Policy and Programmes, Warrington Borough Council, East Annexe, Town Hall, Sankey Street, Warrington, WA1 1HU.
• In Person: Paper copies of consultation documents can be viewed at reception at 1 Time Square, Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Copies of the consultation documents can also be viewed at libraries across the Borough.
For those requiring the information in alternative formats (such as large print, braille, or other languages), please contact equalities@warrington.gov.uk.
Once this initial phase ends in June, the council will review all feedback. Further public consultations are planned for autumn/winter 2026 and autumn/winter 2027, before the final plan is submitted for independent examination.