Keele neighbourhood plan representations

Date: 24 September 2026

National Highways welcomes the opportunity to comment on the submission of the Keele Neighbourhood Plan. We note that the document provides a vision for the future of the area and sets out a number of key objectives and planning policies which will be used to help determine planning applications.

National Highways (formally Highways England) has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport as a strategic highway company under the provisions of the Infrastructure Act 2015 and is the highway authority, traffic authority and street authority for the Strategic Road Network (SRN). It is our role to maintain the safe and efficient operation of the SRN whilst acting as a delivery partner to national economic growth.

In responding to development plan consultations, we have regard to DfT Circular 01/2022: The Strategic Road Network and the Delivery of Sustainable Development (‘the Circular’). This sets out how interactions with the Strategic Road Network should be considered in the making of plans and development management considerations. In addition to the Circular, the response set out below is also in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other relevant policies.

In relation to the Keele Neighbourhood Plan, our principal interest is in safeguarding the operation of the SRN, the nearest route of which is the M6 which is located at the southern boundary of the plan area. The scope and scale of proposed development identified in the current Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council Local Plan (accounted for within the Keele Neighbourhood Plan), is modest and shall not have any significant impact on the operation of the SRN.

Considering the limited level of growth proposed across the Neighbourhood Development Plan area, as well as that already delivered within the Local Plan period, we do not expect that there will be any significant impacts on the operation of the SRN.

We therefore have no further comments to provide and trust the above is useful in the progression of the Keele Neighbourhood Plan.

If I can be of any further assistance on this matter, please do not hesitate in contacting me.

Yours sincerely,

Eve Gibson-Field

Midlands Operations Directorate