Cheshire East is looking for a strategic partner to draw up a master plan for its 'Greater Crewe' vision which aims to deliver growth and turn the town into a city.

'Greater Crewe' aims to bring together major investments in transport, health, infrastructure, housing and economic development.

It could also see the town get a second railway station at Leighton, an area which has seen significant housing development and where the £1.4 billion new hospital is to be built.

The council recently conducted a small assessment study which determined a new railway station is a viable option and should be considered as one of a range of transport options for the Leighton area.

Deputy leader Michael Gorman (Wilmslow, Ind) told Thursday's (September 3) cabinet meeting: "Crewe is recognised as the borough's principal economic centre.

"It benefits from significant rail connectivity and investment opportunities and has the greatest potential to support housing and employment growth at scale and is capable of delivering substantial economic growth for residents and businesses…

"The master plan will provide the evidence needed to understand how these opportunities can be realised, while addressing infrastructure requirements, environmental considerations and, crucially, placemaking objectives."

But he warned the council had to manage the expectations of local people 'because the residents and businesses of Crewe have been led up the hill on several occasions and have found that there was nothing there to look at when they got to the top'.

He said the message, particularly from younger people in the borough, was: "We want change, we want a better transport system, we want housing, we want jobs, we want skills."

Cllr Gorman said there are fantastic opportunities in Crewe.

He referred to the A500 dualling, Bentley Motors, the town's railway history and Crewe Station.

He said the council is seeking clarity from government on a new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester.

"And the real game changer is Leighton Super Hospital, which will bring £1.4 billion worth of investment into Crewe."

Cllr Gorman told the cabinet it is 'absolutely important we do this properly'.

"We're going to bring together a three-year Cheshire East growth plan and secure this as a major pipeline project with the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority," he said.

Conservative group leader Stewart Gardiner (Knutsford) asked about public consultation.

Cllr Gorman told him: "Engagements with local communities, ward members, businesses, and other stakeholders will form an important part of this process, with opportunities for feedback and input at key stages as the work progresses."

Cllr Mark Goldsmith (Wilmslow, Ind) said transport was key to any regeneration.

"Crewe Station itself is the second-best connected train station in the whole country," he said, adding improvements were long overdue.

"Added to that, we also have the Leighton proposal for a new station there as well, so transport will be a real integral part of the redevelopment and the regeneration as well, and it really needs to be heart of what we are doing."

Crewe councillor Jill Rhodes (Lab) said: "I hope residents will welcome a professional investment and delivery framework, which has economic development at its heart…

"But that does not mean that Crewe and its surrounding areas should have the majority of the housing development, as has happened in the past."

Cllr Rhodes welcomed the proposal for a residential mixed-use scheme for the town centre.

"We have all witnessed changes for the better in Manchester and Liverpool, when people started to live in the city centre," she said.

"Hopefully this initiative will bring similar changes to Crewe."