Cheshire East consults on housing strategy

CHESHIRE East Council is asking residents for their views on its first five-year housing strategy document.

The council has begun an eight-week public consultation programme and is asking local people for their views on the best way of meeting the area’s housing needs. The council’s proposed strategy, ‘Moving Forward’, is available to view on the council’s website where local residents are also being asked for their views on how housing services can be improved to 2016.

Cheshire East Councillor Jamie Macrae, cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “We already know Cheshire East is a desirable place to live. Housing plays a significant role in creating sustainable communities, bringing new people into the area and boosting the economy as a whole.

“We want to continue to improve the quality of our housing stock and make sure that it is accessible and affordable.

“As an authority, with the help of our housing providers, we have lots of information about local housing needs, following our comprehensive Strategic Housing Market Assessment in 2009/2010.

“All this information has helped us to put this new strategy together.

“However, we need to know if we have got it right. We want to hear from residents about their experiences of housing needs and services in Cheshire East. Their input will be vital.”

The council is also currently organising a series of consultation exercises which will take place throughout the area. A full list of public meeting dates will be produced soon.