Centre could face bulldozers in houses bid
AFORMER community centre could be knocked down to make way for 12 new homes.
Developer Belvedere Gardens has submitted a planning application to Cheshire East Council for the now disused Hurdsfield Centre site, on Nicholson Close.
It seeks to level the site before building 12 houses that would be two and a half storeys tall and in three blocks of four terraces.
None of the homes will be affordable housing as the development is smaller than the minimum size of 15 before any is required by the council.
But as part of the initial consultation process education bosses have said that a payment of £32,685 must be made to help to alleviate the extra pressure on schools.
Otherwise they said they will object to the proposals.
Although council consultation is now open until January 23 the company says it has already engaged with nearby residents with letters sent to the 32 properties nearest the site.
Two written responses were received with concerns raised including parking provision and Nicholson Close not being wide enough to accommodate the proposed development.
But, according to a report submitted with the planning application, each home will have two car parking spaces.
And vehicle movement during peak hours would be less than it was when the site was operational as the Hurdsfield Centre.
The report also states: “The proposed development would result in the redevelopment of a brownfield site which would deliver much needed housing in a sustainable location.
“It is acknowledged that the construction works may cause some disruption, however these would not be unacceptable and, on balance, would not outweigh the benefits associated with housing delivery.
“The proposals have been designed to be sympathetic in scale and massing to that of the surrounding properties.”
Developers say demolition and building would take 12 months and hope to start within three years.
A council decision on the application is expected to be made by early March.