TENANTS could benefit from improved services as Weaver Vale Housing Trust relocates to Winsford Industrial Estate.

The move is to improve services, customer care and to accommodate staff as the Careline service develops and tenants will have their own IT and training facilities at the new office.

The housing association's offices in Leicester Street and London Road in Northwich and current headquarters in Clough Street, Winsford, will close in June and the new headquarters on the edge of the industrial estate will open at a cost about £3.8 million.

The trust will save on payments and overheads by vacating the current premises which will go a long way to funding the new headquarters.

Bob Floyd, chief executive of Weaver Vale Housing Trust, said: "The closure of the Leicester Street and London Road offices will not result in any job losses - indeed the trust had already created around 40 new jobs for local people, ranging from building operatives to care workers to administrators.

"As a new organisation with more than 330 employees, the trust needs an operational headquarters. It will allow us to bring staff together."

The new headquarters is destined to be built by a pond which is currently home to rare great crested newts and this is causing some delay to plans but Weaver Vale Housing Trust is working closely with Cheshire Ecological Service to ensure that the newts will not be disturbed by the development.

All services will be operating from the new office but customer service facilities will still be available from the area offices at Cheviot Square, Wyvern House, Northwich Information Centre and Castle Park.

jdriscoll@guardiangrp.co.uk