Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ's - General
What is the Neighbourhood Plan?
A Neighbourhood Plan lets local people shape how their area develops, setting priorities based on what matters most locally. It covers new homes, shops and community spaces; how they should look, and what green spaces or historic sites should be protected. Once approved, it will become a legal part of Warrington’s planning framework and must be considered in all planning decisions.
The plan must align with national planning policies and Warrington’s Local Plan, so it can’t block developments already permitted or contradict broader strategies.
The process includes public consultations and a local referendum. In Grappenhall and Thelwall, we’re aiming to consult widely with the community in the second half of 2025 and to hold our referendum in early 2026.
How will the Neighbourhood Plan affect me?
The Neighbourhood Plan gives you a direct say in how Grappenhall and Thelwall changes and grows. It can influence the type and location of new homes, shops, and where community facilities go, how they look, and what local green spaces or heritage areas are protected.
That means future developments will be shaped by the priorities of local people—not just planners or developers. Whether you care about housing, the look of our villages, places to walk and cycle, preserving character, green spaces, the Bridgewater canal or traffic, the Plan helps make sure your views are part of the decision-making process.
What are the main steps to creating a Neighbourhood Plan?
The process typically involves the following stages:
- Designation of the neighbourhood area. Done ✅
- Evidence gathering. Done ✅
- Community engagement – Ongoing
- Drafting the plan. ✅
- Formal consultation (Regulation 14). Nov – Dec 2025
- Submission to the local authority. Early 2026
- Independent examination. Early 2026
- Referendum. Mid 2026
- Adoption (“making”) of the Plan. 2026 onwards
What legal standing will it have?
More than you think! Once the Neighbourhood Plan is agreed then it will become part of the statutory framework used in ALL planning decisions for the next 10-15 years.
That means any NEW applications from planners and developers as well as householder applications for extensions, conversions or infill must meet its criteria.
Who is pulling together the Neighbourhood Plan?
Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council supports the Steering Group which comprises a large number of volunteer residents – from the age of 17 upwards. Every member lives in Grappenhall Heys, Thelwall or Grappenhall. We are very fortunate to have a wide variety of experience, including an ex-Planning Inspector, so we’re confident that our draft plans are rigorous and robust!
What work has gone on behind the scenes to get here?
A public meeting attended by over 160 local residents was held on 17 January 2024 to discuss restarting work on the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan and a further virtual meeting for those unable to attend the in-person event was held on 22 January 2024.
Following these meetings a Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group comprising members of Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council and a group of passionate local residents from Thelwall, Grappenhall and Grappenhall Heys was formed.
Three events took place in 2024 to establish the views of local people:
- Thelwall Rose Queen Engagement Session – 22/6/24
- Grappenhall Walking Day Engagement Session – 22/6/24
- Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden Autumn Fair – 28/6/24
At the events, three questions were asked:
- What do you like about Grappenhall & Thelwall?
- What do you not like about Grappenhall & Thelwall?
- As Grappenhall and Thelwall grows, what will be important to you and your family?
We decided that we needed to focus on what was most important locally, so from this engagement the Neighbourhood Plan Five themes were formed as well as the Neighbourhood Plan vision: Green and Blue Spaces; Heritage; Design; Housing Need; Infrastructure.
I've heard that there's going to be a lot of new housing in South Warrington - can the Neighbourhood Plan stop it?
We know many local residents are concerned about the scale of development already planned in South Warrington, between now and 2038. This includes over 300 homes by Castle Green Homes at Thelwall Heys and 2,400 on the land owned by Homes England (off Stockton Lane and off Broad Lane in Grappenhall). While the Neighbourhood Plan can’t stop this development (because legally it must align with Warrington’s Local Plan), it can give our community more say in how that growth is managed.
In short, it’s our best chance to make sure that future development reflects local priorities – not just housing numbers. It puts our community in a stronger position to guide and influence inevitable change before it happens, rather than simply react to it.
Why should I vote in the 2026 Neighbourhood Plan Referendum?
Voting in the Neighbourhood referendum in 2026 gives you a direct say in how Grappenhall and Thelwall develops over the next 10-15 years. If the majority of voters say “Yes“, the plan becomes a legal planning document. That means Warrington Borough Council must use it when deciding on future planning applications. If not enough people vote, or the plan is rejected, those decisions could be made by non-residents, without reflecting what the community wants.
So your vote really does matter – Local Voices – Lasting Impact.
How does the upcoming Thelwall Heys development fit in with the Neighbourhood Plan?
Castle Green Homes submitted a planning application for c330 homes at Thelwall Heys earlier in 2025 to Warrington BC (approval pending).
Because the Neighbourhood Plan hasn’t yet been “made” that planning application can’t legally be subject to our proposed Neighbourhood Plan.
What evidence has been used to develop The Plan?
The Steering Group commissioned/collated an evidence base to support policy development including:
- Green Space Report
- Housing Needs Assessment (external consultant commissioned – Aecom)
- Housing Needs Survey (went to all 4024 households of Grappenhall & Thelwall in November 2024 – 17% response rate)
- Character and Design Study (external consultant commissioned – Neil Homer)
Where can I see supporting documents, agenda minutes etc.?
Click right here In the Library tab
What happens with the comments that are made between now and 1st January 2026?
All comments received from residents and other consultees by the end of the consultation period must be considered and a decision taken as to whether or not to modify the Plan in response to each representation.
The Steering Group will be reviewing each and every comment, starting in January 2026.
The resulting modified draft Plan must then be submitted to the local planning authority (Warrington Borough Council) who will then put it out for a second round of public consultation. At this stage comments should only be submitted as to whether the Plan meets the ‘basic conditions’.
- Any comments made at this stage will be passed directly to an Independent Examiner appointed by Warrington Borough Council in conjunction with Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council.
- The Examiner will provide an assessment as to whether it needs any modifications to enable it to do so.
Can I simply comment "I support the Plan"?
Absolutely! This is your Plan and the more evidence we have that the Policies that will be voted on are what the Local Community wants then the better.
As a Steering Group, we have to consider each and every comment, one by one, in January 2026 (c10,000 residents and 16 policies means a possible 160,000 comments) so we want to hear what you like about the Plan as well as any suggestions for change or improvement.
What happens at the Referendum in 2026?
And what about the referendum?
The Independent Examiner’s assessment will advise as to whether the Plan meets the ‘basic conditions’ and whether it needs any modifications to enable it to do so. The Examiner will then make a recommendation on whether the Plan should proceed to a public referendum.
It will then be up to Warrington Borough Council to arrange for the referendum to take place.
All people on the electoral register for the Parish will be entitled to vote in the referendum, either in person or by a postal vote.
It is necessary to gain more than 50% ‘Yes’ votes of those voting in the referendum for the Plan to be ‘made’ and brought into force.
It is really important the residents understand voting against the Plan WILL NOT STOP THE DEVELOPMENT OF 4,200 houses in the South East Warrington Urban Extension.
I've seen that Homes England are also running a consultation soon? I'm confused!
Homes England is the majority landowner of the South East Warrington Urban Extension, a site allocated for a residential-led development for 4,200 homes in Warrington Borough Council’s adopted Local Plan. The South East Warrington Urban Extension spans not only land within the Parish of Grappenhall and Thelwall, but also some parts of Appleton Parish and Stretton Parish. Our Neighbourhood Plan only deals with development within our Parish boundary.
The Local Plan requires a ‘Development Framework’ for the site, which will provide a vision and framework for the future development across the whole development and Homes England is now sharing the draft Development Framework proposals with the community, ahead of submitting the final Framework document to Warrington Borough Council for agreement in 2026.
You can find out more at Homes England’s drop-in events:
- 3-7pm, Friday 14th November – Appleton Parish Hall, Dudlow Green Road, Appleton, WA4 5EQ
- 1-5pm, Wednesday 19th November – Olde Barn, Grappenhall Community Centre, Bellhouse Lane, WA4 2SG
- 10am-2pm, Saturday 22nd November – The Garden Suite, Events Centre, Park Royal Hotel, Stretton, WA4 4NS
Their website has more information (www.southeastwarrington.co.uk).
You can provide your feedback until 15 December.