HOUSE building in Northwich could be given a jump start thanks to a Government initiative.

Cheshire West was selected as one of 20 government ‘Growth Points’ meaning extra funds will be ploughed into the region to make sure its keeps up with housing needs.

The scheme will see 2,700 additional homes built before 2016/17 on top of the regional requirement of 11,853 homes as set out in the Regional Spatial Strategy.

There are currently around 12,000 people waiting for social housing across the borough.

CWAC Clr Andrew Needham, who has been working on the scheme, said: “The Northwich Vision has been subsumed into bigger things.

“The Government wants 20 million new homes by 2020 and CWAC volunteered to be a growth point.

“Now the decision is whether it will be in Ellesmere Port, Chester, Northwich or Winsford. Or should some of the smaller villages become towns?”

Some of the extra funding will be used to improve infrastructure in a bid to unlock the potential of housing sites.

CWAC has put a bid in for £1.65million for Access Weaver – a project that will see the creation of quality primarily off-road cycling and walking routes to connect areas of housing growth with town centres, schools, employment and recreation sites.

Ten key schemes have been identified that will link existing and proposed routes to create the network.

The spine of the network will be based on the Weaver Valley Strategic Partnership project.

CWAC councillor for Northwich, Herbert Manley, said the plans will ensure the region can continue to grow.

He said: “This ambitious plan seeks to deliver a Growth Point status, which will afford a greater opportunity to deliver additional homes and ensure that economic growth is not hindered by a lack of housing.”