Cheshire East Council has defended criticism about closing its prestigious Westfields HQ building in Sandbach which only opened in 2008.

The council says the decision, taken at the meeting of the council's corporate policy committee last Thursday (November 30th), is part of the 'workplace' programme.

Back in 2004, Sandbach Ladies' Association fought to stop the bulldozers flattening the former historic building to make way for the new Westfields building in Middlewich Road.

A 19th century mansion house, the former home of the Foden family, was knocked down to make way for the new council HQ, much to the uproar of many residents in the town.

Westfields opened in 2008 as the headquarters of the then-Congleton Borough Council, before it became part of Cheshire East when the authority was formed in 2009

The 'workplace' programme is based on five principles:

• Improve productivity, value for money and services to residents;
• Reduce the environmental footprint of working practices;
• Meet staff aspirations for an improved work life balance;
• Provide a safe creative environment to work in and drive innovation and transformation;
• optimise the use of office workspace and reduce costs.

Although the date for the building's closure has not yet been set, staff based at Westfields are moving to corporate offices in Macclesfield and Crewe.

A decision over what will happen with the Westfields site will be made at the council's economy and growth committee once options have been identified.

Councillor Sam Corcoran, chair of Cheshire East Council's corporate policy committee, and council leader said: "The workplace programme is an important part of our plans to transform the council and become more sustainable both financially and in terms of our carbon neutral ambitions.

"With many more people working from home and a reduced workforce, Cheshire East Council no longer requires all the buildings that it used to.

"Working from home reduces travel mileage, which is good for the environment and reduces traffic congestion.

"While residents and businesses may have mixed views about their council and its presence in a town, I for one will be sorry to see Cheshire East Council move out of Westfields.

"It is said that you only really appreciate something when it is gone and my initial thoughts are to the local shopkeepers and traders who have supported the workforce and visitors of Westfields.

"I hope that Westfields will continue to be used either as offices by another entity or be repurposed for some alternative use.

"The first step that has now been taken is to decide that it is surplus to the requirements of Cheshire East Council as office space. Future uses of the site will now be pursued."