The Warrington Local Plan Core Strategy was adopted by the council on 21 July 2014.

The Local Plan Core Strategy is the overarching strategic policy document in the Local Planning Framework.  It sets out the planning framework for guiding the location and level of development in the borough up to 2027.

The Local Plan Core Strategy will replace the existing Adopted Unitary Development Plan as a reference document for which all future planning applications will be assessed.

High Court Challenge

The High Court Challenge to the adoption of parts of the Warrington Local Plan Core Strategy was heard on 3 and 4 February 2015 with judgement given on 19 February 2015 by Mr Justice Stewart.

The Judge ruled in favour of the council on six of the nine issues that the claimant challenged on. However we're extremely disappointed that the outcome has still resulted in the removal of elements of the housing policies from the Local Plan.

The parts of the Plan which have been overturned are:

  • The housing target of 10,500 new homes (equating to 500 per year) between 2006 and 2027
  • References to 1,100 new homes at the Omega Strategic Proposal

Not all of the Local Plan Core Strategy has been overturned. All other policies within the plan remain unaltered.

The focus remains on new development to inner Warrington as a catalyst to secure physical and economic regeneration. The Plan provides a robust basis to ensure new development proposals are built in the right place and are of the highest standard.

The council will now begin the work necessary to ensure the housing elements of the Plan are revised in line with the ruling and reinstated as soon as possible.

Policies map

The Local Plan Core Strategy will supersede the existing Adopted Unitary Development Plan as a reference document for which all future planning applications will be assessed.

Take a look at our interactive mapping system and choose the 'Local Plan Core Strategy' in the Map Layers on the left.