New leisure development ‘could begin next year’
CONSTRUCTION of a new leisure development to drive forward the regeneration of the town centre could start as early as next year, council chiefs claim.
Nineteen developers have put forward plans for two sites – the Churchill Way car park or the Duke Street car park – following an appeal by Cheshire East Council in June when it was announced the council would sell off one of the two sites to allow developers to come up with their own leisure schemes.
Construction of the chosen scheme, which will include a cinema, could begin next year subject to planning approval.
Nick Hynes, who leads the Macclesfield Town Centre Vision design board, which was formed to investigate options for a leisure scheme and consult with the community, said the level of interest from developers was ‘tremendous’.
He added: “I was confident that there would be a keen interest from developers but to get 19 serious and substantial proposals submitted is even better than we had hoped.
“There is growing confidence in the town – and rightly so.
“Now we need to continue to work in partnership with the council to ensure there is no let up in the momentum, that local stakeholders can share their views and that we get a scheme that is right for the people of Macclesfield.”