‘Run down’ areas get plans boost
COUNCILLORS have paved the way for redevelopment at two so-called ‘ run down areas of Macclesfield.
Members of Cheshire East Council’s cabinet approved a local development order (LDO) for two brownfield sites in town at Tuesday’s meeting.
The scheme will run for five years in Northside and Whalley Hayes.
Northside consists of four sites for redevelopment off Beech Lane, while Whalley Hayes has five sites for redevelopment off King Edward Street.
Councillor Ainsley Arnold, cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration, said: “Once approved, the LDO will effectively grant planning consent for a combination of residential and commercial development, provided it meets the terms of the order.
“As such, the order promotes additional housing close-by the town centre and stimulates the use of brownfield sites within the town – and a lot of them have remained undeveloped and underused for many years.”
The LDO comes after the council was chosen by central Government to take part in a pilot scheme for the project, and a similar order was issued to redevelop Reaseheath, near Nantwich.
Coun Laura Jeuda, Labour member for Macclesfield South, welcomed the move – but raised concerns that the scheme could be exploited by developers.
She said: “I think it’s a very positive move. If we can get rid of some of those, what seem to be known locally as ‘grot spots’, it will be great.
“But what we are concerned with is that those ‘grot spots’ will be used up with things that aren’t what we want. I think we are looking for reassurance that we are going to get the best out of this.”
However, Coun Arnold moved to reassure members that developers will still have to play by the rules.
The Conservative member for Macclesfield Tytherington said: “It would still have to abide by the plan- ning rules – it is not a free ticket to build whatever you want, however it looks.
“It would still be subject to planning regulations, it would still have to be a safe building and aesthetically we would look to make sure it fits in with the locale.”
Developments that come forward under the LDO will not be subject to Section 106 contributions for infrastructure.