RESIDENTS are being asked to influence the future design and appearance of housing developments in east Cheshire.

Cheshire East Council has prepared a residential design guide, which will enable residents, developers, architects to have their input into how the borough should look in the future.

The purpose is to provide developers and design teams with a framework that can guide them in the development of designs that are likely to be acceptable to planners in the future.

Cllr Ainsley Arnold, cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “This design guide is part of a toolkit of measures aimed at ensuring developers understand the character of the Borough and that they need to design appropriately.

“We welcome new development that responds positively to and reinforces the existing character of a place.”

Future applications would be expected to include detailed design-related information.

They would also be expected to offer reassurance to existing communities that development within their settlements and neighbourhoods will be delivered to a high standard.

Designs would be expected to complement existing places within Cheshire East.

The Council is inviting feedback on the design guide through an online consultation, which runs until May 18.

This can be accessed via the council’s web site planning portal.