Town centre revamp commences

The scheme that aims to revitalise Macclesfield town centre takes a step forward as ground investigations commence on Churchill Way car park.

Boreholes and trial pits will be undertaken by developer Ask Real Estate later this month.

Cheshire East will take measures to minimise the disruption to the operation of the car park.

The move follows agreement by Cheshire East Council to sell the car park site to Ask to deliver a high-quality leisure-led scheme.

The outline proposals envisage a six-screen cinema, restaurants, a retail unit and a café pod, designed around an area of quality public realm.

Councillor Don Stockton, Cheshire East cabinet member in charge of regeneration, said:  “It is excellent to see this project continuing to take significant steps forward towards delivering on our promise to the people of Macclesfield.

“We have said that we will regenerate the town and increase footfall for the benefit of retailersand businesses and this is another key stage of that process.

“This council is fully committed to seeing this exciting regeneration project move forward towards a successful planning application and delivery for the people of Macclesfield.

“This scheme is a key part of the council’s forward thinking strategy to enhance the economic, environmental and social well-being of the town centre. But it is far from being the only project we are pursuing.

“The council will continue to work collaboratively with landowners and other local stakeholders to ensure that local residents and businesses have a town centre they deserve – and of which they can be proud.”

The development will be subject to the normal planning process, which will start once contracts are formally exchanged. Some car parking capacity will be lost but research has shown that there is sufficient capacity in the town centre to meet current requirements, although the council will continue to monitor this.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, cabinet member for housing and planning, who is also a local Macclesfield ward member and has been working closely with the regeneration team on projects within the town, said: “I am delighted that progress is being made towards delivering a scheme with the potential to significantly enhance the town centre offer.”

The council is already pursuing a number of other regeneration initiatives in Macclesfield town centre.  Capital funding of £1m has been earmarked for enhancing the public realm, improvements have already been delivered to the Gas Road underpass area, Middlewood Way and Sparrow Park. A further shop-front grant scheme, this time for properties around the south end of Mill Street, will be launched shortly.

Ed: We still have massive concerns regarding the loss of the town’s major car park. Encouraging visitors is great, but they will need somewhere to park. Also, we’re advised the developers are still seeking an ‘anchor’ retail tenant – and we all thought this was a leisure led scheme. Deja vu anyone?