Store given go-ahead to widen goods range
ARELAXATION of rules for a store that is part of a major retail scheme has been approved - despite concerns over the effect it will have on Macclesfield town centre.
B&M Bargains has been given to permission to widen the variety of goods it can sell when it opens at Barrack’s Mill, at Black Lane.
The budget retailer will have unit three at the development and Cheshire East Council has now given permission for 295sq m of food sales space and 148sq m for health and beauty products.
This is in addition to the range of goods allowed when planning permission was originally given for the retail park in 2017.
Aldi, Costa Coffee and Marks and Spencer will also have a presence at Barracks Mill and Macclesfield Civic Society is among those to say traders in the town centre will suffer.
A statement from the society said: “The application forms part of a piece by piece erosion of the scheme grated outline permission on appeal leading to almost
unrestricted retail activity with shops relocating from the town centre.
“In the short term then - empty stores and empty sites -,a hollowed out centre. The enhanced focus of retail activity at Barracks Mill is socially divisive.
“It is wholly dependent on access by the private car - no convenient public transport or pedestrian access. All in all a backward step.”
In making the point the society highlighted Marks & Spencer will shut its Mill Street branch this coming winter.
Macclesfield Town Council also objected but Cheshire East says that when suitable town centre locations are not available edge of town locations must be considered.
A report by planner Robert Law said: “The
applicant has confirmed that the existing BM store would still operate from the existing town centre store.
“The proposal would not serve to significantly undermine the vitality and viability of the town centre. This application does not raise any further issues relating to highways, parking or neighbouring residential amenity.”
The application was submitted by Cedar Invest, the company behind the scheme.
Outline planning permission to build six units - four retail, two cafes at the former factory site, was given on appeal in 2017.
But there was a list of conditions restricting the range of goods that could be sold on site, to
help protect the town centre. Food sales were allowed but as a ‘stand alone’ offering rather than combined with other goods as has now been approved for B&M.
In 2018 an application was granted that eased these restrictions.
Cedar Invest says the project will create around 200 jobs, is much-needed redevelopment and a retail impact assessment found any impacts from this latest application would be ‘imperceptible’.
A report with the application said the ‘minor extension’ to B&M’s range of goods ‘are intended to meet those making an impulse buy as part of their visit to the store for other non-food products’.