BUILDING hundreds of houses and creating skilled jobs will make Middlewich key to the prosperity of Cheshire East, according to council chiefs.

Cheshire East Council’s Local Plan has identified Middlewich as one of the Key Service Centres for the borough, indicating the importance of vitality and growth for the town.

More than 800 houses are projected to be built across two sites before 2030, while the town’s motorway links have been highlighted in providing new jobs across a range of employment types.

The report says Middlewich’s proximity to the M6 corridor gives the site potential to serve Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and the Potteries within an hour drive.

Council planning officer Adrian Fisher said: “Middlewich has very significant employment areas. Shown in the plan are some large planning applications for bringing in employment.

“Our aim is sustainable development – that is planning for the future meeting the needs of the present without hindering the needs of future generations.

“A plan that recognises how we are now and how people and places will be in the future for our children and grandchildren.”

One site identified for 450 new homes is Glebe Farm, a Greenfield site to the south of Middlewich, which would include supporting the delivery of infrastructure for the Middlewich Eastern Link Road.

With permission already granted for 149 dwellings adjacent to the site at Warmingham Lane, a total of 155 homes are expected between 2015 and 2020.

Brooks Lane has also been identified for 400 homes, leisure and community facilities and a potential Marina at the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Councillor David Brown, deputy leader, added: “This is one of the most important documents the Council has produced; it is the blue print of Cheshire East until 2030.

“The evidence that supports this is enormous. I believe this plan to be one of the most comprehensive and consulted on Local Plans to have been produced in England.

“Most people will be pleased with the results and there will be some who are unhappy, I believe it meets the requirements of the Cheshire East residents and future residents both now and until 2030.”