Gastropub aims to breathe new life into historic hall
ANEW gastropub and restaurant could soon open its doors at an Alderley Park hall dating back to 1901.
Alderley Park Ltd has submitted plans to extend the Tenants’ Hall, situated in the historic Upper Courtyard of the Nether Alderley site and change its use from a conference centre.
If Cheshire East Council gives the scheme the green light, it would be the latest step in the transformation of the natural sciences campus after it was sold by AstraZeneca in 2014.
In an application lodged with Cheshire East Council, Avison Young, representing the developer, said: “Alderley Park Ltd proposes to create a highquality gastropub and restaurant development on land at the Upper Courtyard.
“The scheme has been carefully and sensitively designed to a high standard, providing all the key elements to ensure the creation of a sustainable community, having regard to the relevant policies of [CEC’s local plan].
“The application has been the subject of detailed pre-application discussions with the council and other stakeholders including the local community - it is wholly acceptable in design and technical terms.”
The Tenants’ Hall was built at Alderley Park House in 1901 and is one of only two parts of the old house that remain following a fire in 1931 and demolition two years later.
Plans for a restaurant were included in the 2015 masterplan for Alderley Park and in later planning applications for the campus. If approved, the 578sq m gastropub would be built with 46 car parking spaces - including three spaces for disabled visitors - plus 10 cycle spaces.
The land is sat within Cheshire East’s green belt, but it is earmarked for development in the council’s local plan and Alderley Park Ltd says the scheme would contribute towards the campus’ success.
Wider plans for Alderley
Park - approved by the council in 2016 - include up to 38,000sq m of laboratory or office space, up to 275 new homes, a hotel and shops. The site has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with council giving permission for a new car park at the campus earlier this year to meet growing demand. Residents can comment on the plans until January 2, 2020, with CEC hoping to make a decision in the following month.