Have your say on Council's draft housing strategy

Cllr Ainsley Arnold

Cheshire East Council is consulting on a proposed new housing strategy, setting out the authority's vision and priorities for housing until 2023.

The consultation begins today (Monday, 27th November) and continues until Monday, January 8th, 2018.

The borough's Local Plan includes provision for a housing requirement of at least 36,000 new homes and 380 hectares of land for business, general industrial and storage and distribution uses up until 2030.

This is to reflect an anticipated jobs growth rate of around 1,600 jobs per year, or 31,400 by 2030. Nationally, it is estimated the country needs to build more than 250,000 new homes each year.

Cheshire East says it has a strong ambition for jobs-led economic expansion and housing is seen as essential to support this continuous growth. The council wishes to see that homes built across the borough are of the right type and are built in the right place, offering a range of high-quality housing that is affordable and meets the needs of young people, families and older residents.

The draft housing strategy outlines the Council's priorities and how they will achieve them:

  • Stimulate the housing market
  • Support regeneration to support quality of place
  • Improve the housing offer for an ageing population
  • Develop a housing offer to support jobs-led growth
  • Support the Medium Term Financial Growth Strategy
  • Prevent homelessness
  • Commission housing support for people with complex needs
  • Promote independent living
  • Promote Affordable Warmth
  • Challenge poor quality housing

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration, said: "Our proposed new housing strategy contains our ambitions for facilitating the delivery of affordable housing alongside a robust, well-managed rental and sales market. We welcome the opportunity for our residents to engage with us so that we can develop our thinking further on this important topic."

Click here to view and contribute to the consultation or email the strategic housing team at: [email protected] or contact strategic housing on 0300 123 5500.

Photo: Councillor Ainsley Arnold, cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Stephen Maynard
Tuesday 28th November 2017 at 6:32 pm
When are we going to hear about the much needed plans that the council should be focussing their attention on to improve the social infrastructure in the area BEFORE putting forward plans for additional housing. Already the main roads around the area are choked with cars due to roadworks that take an eternity to complete or on roads that are inadequate for the already large volume of traffic that try to get around the area each day. People already living in the area are taking literally hours commuting to and from work within the boundary of East Cheshire when just travelling a few miles. The doctors surgeries are full, the local schools are full and the hospitals cannot cope with the number of people that already live in the area - how can the East Cheshire come forward with proposals for additional housing when they haven't tackled how these key elements are to be addressed to accommodate extra people commuting to work, additional children in schools, more doctors appointments and need for extra beds in the hospitals - when are we going to see them supporting these crucial areas before we see any the expansion and growth in housing?
Harry Martin
Tuesday 28th November 2017 at 8:54 pm
I agree with Mr Maynard as when I went to look at the new lego homes in Woodford I overheard a potential buyer being told there was a choice of Drs surgeries in the area . I won't waste my time attending any of these meetings as I and others already know plans have been cemented . I just wish the planners would be willing to use the A34 for a couple of weeks .This alone would explain why locals are worried .