A North West property developer has agreed a multimillion-pound deal to buy a 15-acre site in Cheshire with the potential to create 1,200 jobs in the retail and restaurant sectors, starting with the creation of a large-scale Next fashion and homeware store.
THIS IS THE BEST POSSIBLE USE OF THIS LAND AND WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT IT WILL MAKE SUCH A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL PROSPERITY OF THE BOROUGH - JAMIE MACRAE
Alderley Edge-based Consolidated Property Group (CPG) has entered into an agreement with Cheshire East Council to purchase the land next to the Handforth Dean retail park in a deal secured by the council's development company Engine of the North.
According to the local authority, the site has the potential to create 1,200 jobs in the retail and restaurant sectors subject to planning but will not be leisure-led.
Construction of the first phase is due to begin in December 2015. This will see the opening of a large-scale Next fashion and homeware store with the creation of 220 jobs.
Further phases of the project at the former Airparks site, off Earl Road, will be the subject of a planning application that is due to be submitted after the developer has completed a public consultation. If approved, the further phases could take the whole scheme to around 320,000 sq ft of retail space, including shops, drive-thrus and restaurants, plus car parking and a gym.
Cheshire East Council said that it could be at least three years before the entire development is completed but phase one is expected to be finished by next summer. It added that the development would be a significant addition to the existing Handforth Dean Marks & Spencer and Tesco complex nearby, bringing about a convenient out-of-town shopping city.
Jamie Macrae, chairman of Engine of the North, said: "This is the best possible use of this land and we are delighted that it will make such a significant contribution to the economic and commercial prosperity of the borough.
"The Handforth Dean development has been a tremendous success for Cheshire East and has proved to be extremely popular with our residents and the residents of other boroughs, such as Stockport and Manchester.
"I am also pleased that it will be a local business, CPG, that will carry forward this scheme, which will create in the order of 1,040 jobs, when completed."
Martin Ridgeway, group managing director at CPG, said: "It is really important that local people, councillors and community groups engage in the consultation process and help shape any proposals that come forward.
"We look forward to holding public consultation events before any further planning application is submitted.
"We are delighted to be working with Cheshire East Council's Engine of the North in creating this landmark scheme, which will deliver a high-quality destination, providing maximum number of jobs and choice for shoppers."
Read more at www.insidermedia.com