More than 3,000 new homes were built in Cheshire East in the last financial year – which is likely to put the borough among the highest performing areas in the country for house-building investment again.

From April 2019 to the end of March this year, 3,065 additional new homes were built in Cheshire East.

This is 1,265 above the annual requirement for 1,800 new homes, established through the Local Plan Strategy, which was adopted in 2017.

It represents a further significant boost in the supply of market and affordable homes in the borough and is the seventh successive year in which the level of housing delivery has increased.

Cllr Toni Fox, cabinet member for planning said: "The delivery of new homes to meet the needs of our residents is welcomed and they play a vital role in maintaining a minimum five-year housing land supply.

"We are now halfway through the 20-year period covered by the Local Plan Strategy (2010-30). Following the recession in 2008 there remains a small shortfall, however housing delivery has increased substantially since the adoption of the plan.

"In common with the situation and uncertainty being faced across the country, the number of homes built in the current financial year to March 2021 may fall as a result of Covid-19.

"We will continue to carefully monitor our housing supply position, particularly in light of the government's proposed radical reforms to the planning system."