Macclesfield Express

Video studio could be demolished

- ALEX SCAPENS

AFORMER video production studio could be knocked down to provide space for 12 new affordable homes.

Housing associatio­n Peaks and Plains want to demolish what was Hangar 17, on George Street, in Macclesfie­ld town centre.

Bosses then want to build six three-bed houses as well as six one-bed flats and have submitted a planning applicatio­n for the work to Cheshire East Council.

The developmen­t would have six parking spaces for the houses and two for the flats, but this has led to questions about where cars would go in what is already a crowded area.

One resident wrote to the council saying: “Where are the current residents of George Street supposed to park their vehicles?

“You’re only providing 30 per cent parking to a new building, around a street that already has terrible resident parking as it is.”

No other representa­tion from the public had been made in the three weeks since the applicatio­n was registered. The current building dates back to the 1920s, as a chemical works, and Peaks and Plains say it is not possible to convert it.

The housing associatio­n bought it in 2019.

A statement submitted with the plans by consultant­s Buttress Architects said: “Peaks and Plains purchased the vacant George Street warehouse building as part of their ongoing vision of creating a vibrant, lively residentia­l community within the Sunderland Street corridor.

“The vision is to utilise the site to deliver an affordable residentia­l developmen­t of a high quality design, assisting in regenerati­ng the area in an accessible town centre location.

“The proposed new build has been carefully designed to minimise and mitigate potential harm to George Street Mill and the other nearby heritage assets.”

Comments as part of public consultati­on can be submitted until March 27.

The council has set May 14 as the target date for a decision.

‘Where are the current residents of George Street supposed to park their vehicles?’

 ?? ?? ●●An artist’s impression of the George Street developmen­t submitted with the applicatio­n
●●An artist’s impression of the George Street developmen­t submitted with the applicatio­n

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