Council seeking developer for Hollins View site

Cheshire East has started the search for a development partner for the former Hollins View care home in Macclesfield – controversially closed by the council several years ago.

The 18,000 sq ft former care home sits on a 1.2 acre site next to St Barnabas School in Macclesfield, accessed via Clarke Terrace.

The facility was closed by the council at the end of 2015 to save £1.3m per year – a decision challenged by local campaign groups and the Labour councillors.

Cheshire East is proposing to redevelop the site for affordable homes, with demolition of the existing care home approved in August last year.

The council’s initial feasibility study suggests the site has a net developable area of just over an acre, with a potential for between 18 and 22 homes. Cheshire East said it would “like to see a mix of two, three, [and] four-bedroom houses along with two-bedroom bungalows”.

There is also the possibility the site could provide specialist housing or apartments.

As Cheshire East does not have a social housing management arm, the houses would need to be developed and managed by a social housing provider. The site will either be sold as a freehold, or by grant of a 125-year lease.

The council has started market engagement for the project and will look to procure a development partner via OJEU. The market engagement questionnaire can be accessed here.