Appeal decision divides opinion in the town
TOWN leaders and Express readers have mixed views on the appeal decision.
Macclesfield MP David Rutley said: “Now the decision has been made, it is more important than ever that Cheshire East Council makes tangible progress with its recently announced plans to regenerate the town centre. Plans to deliver the new leisure-led scheme and cinema, invest in public spaces and promote our unique heritage must be taken forward with a greater sense of urgency by the council to ensure that any retail development at the Barracks Mill site does not detract from creating the thriving and distinctive town centre that local residents expect and deserve.”
Coun Liz Durham, who represents Broken Cross and Upton ward, said: “I’m saddened that a decision made by Cheshire East genuinely to benefit and secure the future of Macclesfield, has been ignored and overturned by people who have no connection with, or an understanding of the plans and vision we have for town.”
Coun Beverley Dooley, who represents Macclesfield central ward, said: “I am very concerned about the impact this decision will have on an already fragile High Street here in Macclesfield, plus the impact it could have on any future inward investment. People’s livelihoods are potentially at stake.”
Coun Nick Mannion, who represents Macclesfield West and Ivy ward, said: “With a significant proportion of the shop premises in Macclesfield currently empty this development will do nothing to help the regeneration of the town centre. Instead, it will potentially draw even more visitor footfall away from the town’s historic centre and add to the already heavily congested Silk Road. Yet another example of planning dogma ignoring local circumstances and priorities.”
Some readers expressed positive views about the decision on the Express Facebook page. Brenda Clarke said: “About time something done with this hazardous eyesore!”
Val Pownall said: “If we get The Range and Dunelm I’m all for it. I’ve not noticed anything in the town centre even remotely resembling such stores so I can’t see how it can negatively affect the town centre shopping. The only stores anything like [them] are up on Lyme Green. No doubt people complained when they were built too.”