PROPERTY Week’s recent top 50 property locations has recognised Warrington as one of the best places to live in the UK.

The ‘Hot Housing Index 2015’ looks at a number of factors including employment levels, local amenities, schools provision, internet connectivity and affordability.

Coming in a five Warrington is certainly up and coming. Similarly wins have been for Crewe at three and Chester at one. League table success depends upon the mix and weighting of factors being considered.

The factors that make Warrington attractive this year can of course change, for the better or worse. The development of a town or city needs to balance the needs of people, young and old, with the needs of businesses, the impact upon the environment and relationships with the surrounding area.

There is not always a clear way forward to achieving the best outcome with so many factors to be taken into account. It’s a balancing act that requires immense sensitivity to local, regional and national issues.

Warrington is managing this difficult position well at the moment.

As an industrial town Warrington has a development strategy, ‘Warrington Means Business’. Businesses need good people and they need a good place to live.

LAWRENCE Bellamy is associate dean at the University of Chester's Padgate campus and writes a regular column for business.