Macclesfield southside plans approved

Plans to develop 135 acres to the south of Macclesfield, between Congleton Road and the Macclesfield to London railway line, have been approved  by Cheshire East’s strategic planning board.

The project, proposed by the council’s development company Engine of the North and landowner TG, includes 950 homes, a primary school, 40,000 sq ft of neighbourhood retail, 5,380 sq ft of offices and 100,000 sq ft of warehousing.

Outline consent was granted despite the developers being unable to offer the normal levels of affordable housing, public open space, or expected contributions for highways, ecological mitigation and education.

East Cheshire’s planners said the developers justified the move of the link road to Moss Lane – on the ‘abnormal costs’ of building the £19.5m link road from Congleton Road to London Road – and the £11m needed to prepare the site to be built on.

Ed: Earlier plans to redevelop the site involved running a road through from Winterton Way on the Lyme Green retail park. Plans were halted owing to the cost of constructing a road bridge to cross the Macclesfield–London railway line.

Officers said they were also willing to accept that only 10 per cent of the 950 homes will be affordable housing, and that just £3.8m from the developers will go towards improving playing fields and play areas, local highways junctions, and education.

Councillor Jamie Macrae, chairman of Engine of the North, said: “We are pleased that the strategic planning board was minded to grant planning permission for the South Macclesfield Development Area.

This is a significant step forward to realising our ambition to create a sustainable community in a quality environment, delivering new homes and employment for the borough.”

The plans will deliver up to 950 much-needed new homes, provision for a primary school, retail and employment development, alongside significant open space provision for new and existing residents to use and enjoy. A contribution will be made towards upgrading existing sport provision.

There will also be a new link road between Congleton Road and London Road.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for housing and planning, who represents Tytherington ward in Macclesfield, said: “This is great news for Macclesfield – bringing jobs, investment and new housing to the benefit of residents in the south of Macclesfield as well as delivering better connectivity for the whole town and neighbouring areas.

“Macclesfield has some of the most desirable places to live in the country and with its transport connections to Manchester, the nearby airport and being only an hour and 45 minutes from London, is a great place to live, work and do business.

“This development is a significant boost for the council’s shared aspirations with local residents to revitalise the town of Macclesfield into something we can all be proud of.”

The planning approval is subject to the completion of the Section 106/111 agreement.