VILLAGERS and rural residents are being given the chance to have their say on a local plan for East Cheshire.

So far, Cheshire East Council has focused its Local Plan on larger towns and the main strategic development sites.

As this stage nears completion, the council will start to focus at a more detailed level.

David Brown, cabinet member in charge of strategic communities, said: "We want to work closely with villages and rural parishes to ensure we get a detailed planning framework in place.

"We want to hear from villages about their future development needs – for businesses, recreation or community facilities.

"The recent assessment showing Cheshire East has a five-year supply of housing land should also provide the opportunity for a more measured approach to housing, giving time for local communities to consider their future requirements."

Cheshire East Council's latest assessment of housing land supply in the borough shows that the authority now has more than a five-year supply of housing land, inclusive of a crucial five-per cent buffer for choice and competition.

It means Cheshire East's countryside should now be better protected against unsustainable development, says the council.

Cheshire East Council Leader Councillor Michael Jones said it signalled the authority's determination to continue its fight to fend off unplanned, unsustainable and unwanted development in the borough.

The latest assessment takes account of all the latest information and available data – and includes all evidence on housing completions and planning permissions up to 31 December 2013.

The five-year housing requirement is 8,311 homes (inclusive of the five per cent buffer) and the identified supply is 9,757 homes – equivalent to 5.87 years.

The housing requirement is based on the figures in the former North West regional spatial strategy.

The council's local plan document is due to be ratified by the government later this year.

The Local Plan will then provide a blueprint for necessary sustainable growth in terms of housing and infrastructure.