COUNCILLORS are set to formally adopt the Local Plan – which could see almost 15,000 homes built across Warrington in the next 15 years.

It will be discussed at the full council meeting on Monday before a vote takes place.

It includes proposals to deliver a minimum of 14,688 new homes, equating to 816 per year, between 2021-22 and 2038-39 – along with ‘supporting Warrington’s ongoing economic success’ by ensuring provision is made to ‘meet the need’ for 168 hectares of employment land between 2021-22 and 2038-39.

Members are being recommended to approve the main modifications to the Local Plan proposed by the independent inspectors for incorporation into the final version of the Local Plan, approve the amendments to the Local Plan policies map for incorporation into the final Local Plan policies map, approve the minor modifications to the Local Plan for incorporation into the final version of the Local Plan, and formally adopt the Local Plan 2021-22 to 2038-39 – incorporating the main modifications, amendments to the policies map and minor modifications – as the new development plan for Warrington.

A report to full council says this is to ensure the council has an up-to-date Local Plan which is effective in promoting and guiding Warrington’s future growth in a ‘sustainable manner’ and that the ‘social and physical infrastructure necessary to support an increasing resident and working population is delivered’.

It adds: “In preparing the plan, climate change formed a key consideration in the option assessment and sustainability appraisal process.

“The plan’s vision and strategic objectives include a commitment to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change.

“A number of the Local Plan policies include specific provisions to reduce and mitigate the impacts of development on climate change and to ensure new development is resilient to the potential effects of climate change.

“Individual site allocation policies have a requirement to mitigate the impacts of climate change; be as energy efficient as possible and seek to meet a proportion of its energy needs from renewable or low carbon sources.”