{{Short description|Housing estate in Chester, England}} {{other uses}} {{More citations needed|date=February 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Use British English|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox UK place | country = England | coordinates = {{coord|53.174038|-2.921545|display=inline,title}} | official_name = Lache | population = 5,760 | population_ref = (2011 Ward)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/lache-e05008681|title=Ward population 2011|access-date=28 May 2015}}</ref> | os_grid_reference = SJ385645 | map_type = Cheshire | unitary_england = Cheshire West and Chester | lieutenancy_england = Cheshire | region = North West England | post_town = CHESTER | postcode_district = CH4 | postcode_area = CH | dial_code = 01244 | constituency_westminster = Chester South and Eddisbury | static_image_name = Sycamore Drive, Lache.JPG | static_image_caption = Sycamore Drive, Lache, Chester }}
'''The Lache''' ({{IPAc-en|l|eɪ|tʃ}} {{Respell|LAYTCH}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgMKTcGNF8M|title=The Backies community litter pick|via=YouTube|date=6 September 2020|access-date=6 April 2022}}</ref>) is a housing estate in the city of Chester, Cheshire, England. It is located approximately {{convert|2|mi|0}} south-west of the city centre, close to the border with Saltney, and runs almost continuously into Westminster Park. The main thoroughfares through the estate are Cliveden Road and Sycamore Drive.
==Etymology== The name ''Lache'' is thought to derive from the Old English words ''loecc'' or ''lacu'', meaning water, suggesting that the area was historically associated with nearby water or marshland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hansen |first=Richard |date=8 May 2021 |title=How Chester's different neighbourhoods got their names |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/how-chesters-different-neighbourhoods-names-20539835 |publisher=Cheshire Live |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref> A similar etymology is found in the nearby Cheshire village of Shocklach.
==Facilities== The Lache contains a range of local facilities, including two churches: St Mark's Church (Church of England) on St Mark’s Road and St Clare’s Roman Catholic Church on Downsfield Road. The estate includes a small shopping area with an off-licence, hairdresser, bakery, food bank and newsagent.
There are two primary schools serving the area: Lache Primary School and St Clare’s Catholic Primary School, with shared sports facilities between them. Additional community amenities include a branch library, a large community centre and hall, several playgroups and a youth club.
Proposals for a new railway station to serve The Lache have been discussed in local transport planning documents, though no confirmed timetable or funding has been announced as of 2026.{{citation needed|date=February 2026}}
==Politics==
===Local government=== The Lache forms part of the Cheshire West and Chester unitary authority area.
===British Parliament=== Following parliamentary boundary changes implemented for the 2024 United Kingdom general election, The Lache lies within the Chester South and Eddisbury constituency. The area is represented in the House of Commons by Aphra Brandreth of the Conservative Party.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001157 |title=Chester South and Eddisbury constituency results |publisher=BBC News}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928014437/http://www.upmystreet.com/local/my-neighbours/neighbourhood-profile/l/CH4+8EY.html Socio-economic profile of The Lache area]
Category:Areas of Chester {{Cheshire-geo-stub}}