BUSINESS leaders have slammed plans to cut the number of homes being built in Crewe and Nantwich.

The South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry says the reduction in the number of homes to be built in the borough will cause problems for the hundreds of families expected to move in as industry grows.

Its 'Push for Prosperity' strategy is concerned about alterations to Cheshire County Council's Structure Plan, which determines where homes, businesses shops and leisure facilities will be built and how much land should be allocated.

Officials are concerned a lack of housing will hit the borough's ability to attract skilled workers.

Thousands of jobs are being created in an area known as the South East Quadrant.

It includes new ware-housing and industrial jobs at the Basford East and West sites, alongside the Shavington bypass, and industry on land opened up by the Crewe Green link road.

A site adjacent to Crewe Business Park is also earmarked for employment while the Crewe Hall Enterprise Park and Crewe Gates Industrial Estate will be made more attractive to investors and workers through landscaping and lighting.

Chamber officials spoke out after plans for more housing in Coppenhall East and Leighton West were removed from the Crewe and Nantwich Local Plan.

Chamber chief executive John Dunning (pictured) said: 'Despite the recent increases in population within the borough, there is now virtually full employment and employers are facing the prospect of a labour shortage.

'The projected labour supply up to 2016 will not keep pace with the projected increase in new jobs created.

'Crewe and Nantwich already experiences high travel-to-work numbers, particularly from and between North Staffordshire and the Congleton areas, and any shortfall within the local labour supply as a result of reduced housing provision could be additional pressures on the transport system which is already under strain.'

Last week, the Chronicle highlighted the problems faced by first-time buyers trying to get on the property ladder.

A report from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors blamed landlords for snapping up properties to let out.

Cheshire County Council chiefs believe the 5,000 homes to be provided by 2016 will satisfy the area's needs.

A spokesman called it a 'generous provision'.

An public examination of the proposed changes to the Structure Plan will take place in Chester in January.