Plans to give Macclesfield town centre a major £1m makeover have been given the green light.

Cheshire East Council will invest £1m into the public realm scheme which hopes to reinforce Macclesfield’s "unique” identity.

The project aims to provide a range of street enhancements, which will be focused around Castle Street, Exchange Street and upper Mill Street.

It is part of a larger regeneration plan for Macclesfield which follows the announcement of a possible leisure-scheme for cinema and restaurants, (subject to planning), on the Churchill Way car park.

Rachel Bailey, Cheshire East Council’s new leader, said: "This is further evidence of our commitment to the continuing regeneration of Macclesfield town centre and our desire to see businesses thrive. It is also to see residents and visitors enjoying a vibrant, healthy and welcoming environment.

"It is about creating a sense of place that reflects our core objectives, to enable our residents to live well and for longer and to have a strong and resilient economy with supportive communities.”

The scheme will be complemented by the emerging Waters Green underpass project, which is a public art initiative that aims to transform the notorious crime-ridden underpass with stories and memories from residents in the area.

Councillor Don Stockton, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This will help to attract people and business to the centre of Macclesfield and restore the town’s vibrant local economy.

"It is the next step in our strategy for the regeneration of this unique town and is based on evidence which suggests that investment in public realm has a positive economic impact in addition to the obvious environmental benefits.”

Cheshire East Council will be asked to commission design work to identify options for the scheme which is set to start in 2017.

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