Housing developers to be subject to tougher conditions

A NEW policy which will allow a council to exercise more control over potential new housing developments is set to be adopted.

Cheshire East Council says the policy will help to manage the release of housing land to ensure there is a steady supply over the next five years, but with stringent new guidelines for future applications.

All new schemes will require that new housing should be energy efficient, contain 35 per cent of affordable homes and make contributions to highways development, alongside additional community benefits.

The interim policy will be kept in place until further sites are allocated for new homes in the development plan for Cheshire East – the Local Development Framework.

Councillor Jamie Macrae, cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: "The council is faced with a statutory requirement to ensure there is a minimum of five year's supply of land for housing development. Without the interim policy, the authority would run the risk of developers seeking permission on greenfield sites.

"This is all part of our key objective to grow and develop a sustainable Cheshire East."

Once the policy is formally adopted, the council will seek to deliver a minimum of 1,150 new homes annually.

The redevelopment of previously developed land within settlements for mixed uses, including housing, will also be encouraged.

A final decision on the adoption of the policy will be made at a full council meeting on Thursday, February 24.

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503368/s/12a90188/l/0L0Sthisisstaffordshire0O0Cnews0CHousing0Edevelopers0Esubject0Etougher0Econditions0Carticle0E32149110Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

Lancashire Winter sun Art Dimitar Berbatov Food & drink Wolverhampton Wanderers