SERIOUS pockets of need are being overlooked because of Cheshire’s ‘rich and affluent’ image.
That is the warning from the influential Cheshire Housing Alliance – which is made up of the county’s biggest housing providers.
The concern was voiced by Steve Jennings, chairman of the Cheshire Housing Alliance and Chief Executive of Weaver Vale Housing Trust.
He said: “People’s view of Cheshire is characterised by leafy suburbs and no problems, but we have some severe pockets of deprivation that present challenges.
“These areas of need are often surrounded by wealth which can be particularly depressing for those living in deprived communities. This is a priority for us to address.”
Mr Jennings was speaking at the launch of the new Cheshire Sub-Regional Housing Strategy which sets out the plans for local housing until 2012.
About 90 housing leaders joined forces for the event which took place at Chester Racecourse on July 15.
The meeting heard that Cheshire’s housing allocation is much lower than neighbouring inner city areas, despite challenges facing rural communities.
