The Local Plan consultation kicks off this Friday , 31st August, offering Handforth residents the opportunity to have their say on draft plans, some of which will be controversial, for how Handforth will develop over the next 20 years.
The Local Plan will set out where future housing, jobs, roads, schools, leisure facilities, parks and green spaces to name but a few will be developed - and residents are being urged to take part.
Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "Many people in the borough have seen controversial site allocation outlines.
"Instead of opposing things, I want to hear people say what they support, what they want to see happen in their communities. I want their views so that we can get it right and in order for that to happen, I genuinely need a robust consultation. The more people who participate, the better our Local Plan will be."
Council David Brown, Deputy Leader and strategic communities' portfolio holder, urged: "It will determine your future, that of your children and even your grandchildren's.
"Please don't miss this opportunity to take part in one of the most important blueprints of the future. Otherwise, decisions will be made based only on the replies we receive back and our aim here at Cheshire East is to reflect the views of as many people as possible."
Handforth residents have already taken part in a Place Shaping Consultation which has now helped to shape the draft Handforth Town Strategy Consultation, which residents will be commenting on over the next four weeks. This will then feed into the final Cheshire East Local Plan which lasts until 2030.
During 2011, Cheshire East Council asked Handforth residents, workers, visitors and shoppers what they liked about the place. Doctors, health centres and transport links, along with country walks were all features that people really liked. But there were issues too, with complaints about the town centre, allotments, parks and green spaces along with transport links to nearby towns or villages.
So how should Handforth look by 2030?
To have your say on the local plan log on to: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/localplan. Consultation documents are also available at Handforth library.
The consultation runs from August 31 until October 1st 2012.
