Middlewich ‘eyesore’ secures consent
A derelict site in the town centre branded an “eyesore” by planning officers will be redeveloped into 85 homes after winning planning approval from Cheshire East Council.
The derelict site off Wheelock Street, behind the town’s Tesco superstore, is split into two parts: Henderson Homes will deliver the housing, while McCarthy & Stone is proposing a three-storey block of apartments for the over 55s.
Designed by architect Calderpeel, Henderson Homes’ plans include a mix of 14 two-bed homes and 17 three-bed homes, along with four one and two-bed apartments. This portion of the site will be accessed via St Ann’s Street.
McCarthy & Stone has put forward a mix of one and two-bed apartments, while the ground floor of the block will also include three retail units fronting Wheelock Street. There will also be 40 car parking spaces, and a 6,500 sq ft communal garden for residents.
Ahead of committee, planning officers argued the scheme would provide “economic benefits through the provision of employment during the construction phase, three new retail units to the Wheelock Street frontage at the ground floor of the McCarthy & Stone building, new residential units and benefits for local businesses in Middlewich by virtue of the economic activity associated with the new residents of the flats and houses”.
Avison Young acted as planner for the scheme; James Berggren from the company said: “The planning approval couldn’t have come sooner for Middlewich residents who have been calling for the site to be transformed for many years.
