Conference held to tackle issues faced by rural villages in West Cheshire

A CONFERENCE has been held to tackle issues faced by rural communities and to discuss ways of regenerating villages.

More than 120 parish council, town council and community representatives attended the Gearing Up for Change event at Oulton Park last week, which was organised by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC).

Topics covered by speakers and workshops ranged from access to European funding and super-fast broadband to affordable housing and advice on Government regulations and neighbourhood plans.

CWaC’s massive Rural Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan, which includes the proposal for rural park and ride schemes to transform ‘substandard’ village transport links, was also discussed.

Councillor Herbert Manley, executive member for prosperity, said: “The conference really got to the heart of the issues that West Cheshire’s rural communities face and looked forward to changing policy landscape and the implications of the Localism Bill including neighbourhood planning.

“We also discussed how the two key rural strategies produced by this authority – the Rural Regeneration and Rural Housing Strategies – can assist local councils and other organisations to achieve sustainable communities through managed growth.

“I hope that our rural communities have taken a lot away from the conference and will now be better equipped to take advantage of opportunities in the future.”

Sarah McAdam, head of DEFRA’s rural communities policy unit, added: “The potential of rural enterprises and the challenges faced by rural communities can too often be overlooked by those with stereotyped view of rural life.

“I warmly welcome the work Cheshire West and Chester has done to understand its rural areas better and make rural regeneration and rural housing a priority.

“The goals that have been set will not be achieved without the contribution and input of the wider community and the conference proved to be a great opportunity to meet people with commitment, energy and ideas about what needs to happen to enable rural residents, businesses and places to thrive.”