CREWE residents are being urged to have their say on Bentley Motors’ future plans, which could see sections of nearby roads be closed to the public.

Following consultation between the firm and Cheshire East Council, Bentley has drawn up a draft development framework, which outlines plans for the long-term future of the factory.

Bentley, which has been based at its Pyms Lane headquarters for more than 70 years, hopes to create a campus-style site which could potentially grow and expand in line with the company’s ambitions.

The firm believes this will deliver a more advanced manufacturing operation which will be efficient, secure and productive.

Should the development go ahead, parts of Pyms Lane and Sunnybank Road would be closed to the public, subject to planning consent.

CEC’s household waste recycling centre in Pyms Lane is also involved in the Bentley plan, although the council insists there are no plans to close the site.

Residents are now being asked to take part in CEC’s mandatory consultation period for the draft Bentley plan before the deadline of 5pm on Tuesday, February 14.

Cllr Don Stockton, CEC cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Bentley is of tremendous importance to the local, regional and national economies and so we would really welcome the views of residents and businesses on the proposed future Bentley masterplan.

“More than 4,000 people are employed directly by the company, which provides many apprenticeship opportunities locally.

“It is also Crewe’s largest single employer, accounting for more than £1billion of UK exports each year, so it is important we get this document right.

“It is important that residents are consulted and I would urge people to get involved and take a little time to fill in the consultation documents online.”

Bentley recruits more than 60 trainees each year, with around 85 per cent of these recruited from the Crewe area.

The campus would locate manufacturing, design, research and development, engineering operations and boosted security into a single integrated site.

Managed by CEC’s arms-length Skills and Growth Company, the framework aims to set out the key design, development and planning policy considerations which will be used in the determination of potential future planning applications relating to the site.

Most of the land identified within the campus vision is owned by CEC, and any change would be subject to detailed future negotiations.

Following consultation, the development framework will be reviewed and potentially amended, before going to cabinet in the spring for a decision on whether or not to endorse it.

As part of the consultation, Bentley will host two drop-in events at its Legends facility, in Sunnybank Road, from 3pm to 8pm on Thursday, January 12, and from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, January 14.

To view the draft development framework document and take part in the consultation, visit cheshireeast.gov.uk/bentleymasterplan