Cheshire West and Chester

Cheshire West and Chester (CW&C) covers an area of approximately 938 sq km [1] and has a 2020 mid-year population estimate of 343,823 [2] with the number of residents aged over 65 years projected to increase by approximately 21% from 2021 to 2030 [3].

It holds a complex mixture of risks, with a significant transport network comprising motorway, mainline railway and the shipping canal all over flown by the approach to three airports. There are major chemical, oil and nuclear risks as well as international manufacturing companies servicing the car industry. Chester has become a banking capital for the north of England and the city is a significant national heritage site. The retail centre at Ellesmere Port (Cheshire Oaks) and Chester Zoo are both national attractions, with thousands of visitors each year.

CW&C also has several Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and this conflict between industry and nature means our pre-planning for responding to incidents has to take into account the impact on the environment.

Flooding is a major risk to our communities with the Sealand Estuary, Dee Valley, Elton, Ince marshes, Weaver Valley and areas around Northwich all built on flood plains.

The index of multiple deprivation 2019 ranked Cheshire West 183rd out of 317 local authority areas, placing it overall in the lower half of deprived areas of England [4]. However, 16.0% of lower super output areas (LSOAs) were in the top 20% of the most deprived areas nationally, with 7.5% being in the top 10% highlighting pockets of deprivation[5]. Visually, areas of increased deprivation can be seen in Ellesmere Port, Winsford, Northwich and Chester [5].

Following national and regional trends, Cheshire West’s population continues to age with older people making up an increasing proportion of the population. Cheshire West’s over 65 population is projected to increase by approximately 21% from 2021 to 2030 [3]. This is in contrast to the 16-65 population which is projected to increase by 2.3% over the same period [3].

[1] - Figure provided by David Robinson.

[2] - Population estimates – local authority based on single year of age [NOMIS 13 May 2022]. Date = 2020, Area(s) = Cheshire East, Cheshire West, Halton, Warrington.

[3] - Population projections – local authority based on single year of age [NOMIS 13 May 2022]. Area type = local authorities: county/unitary (as of April 2019), Area(s) = Cheshire East, Cheshire West, Halton, Warrington.

[4] - Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government English Indices of Deprivation 2019 – Summaries at Local Authority Level [File 10: local authority district summaries]. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/833995/File_10_-_IoD2019_Local_Authority_District_Summaries__lower-tier__.xlsx

[5] - Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government English Indices of Deprivation 2019 – Cheshire West Local authority profile. Located at Cheshire West and Chester (mysociety.org)

Key Statistics from the Cheshire West and Chester Area for 2021/22

  • Primary fires per 10,000 pop - 9.1

  • Deliberate Primary fires per 10,000 pop - 1.9

  • Deliberate Secondary fires per 10,000 pop - 7.1

  • Accidental Dwelling fires per 10,000 dwellings - 6.8

  • Fires in non-domestic properties per 1,000 non-domestic properties - 4.3

  • All Safe and Well visits completed - 3830

Unitary Performance Area Plan

Cheshire West and Chester Unitary Performance Area Plan 2022-23 (new window, PDF 2644KB)


Last updated: Tuesday, 13 June 2023


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