Macclesfield leisure scheme moves forward as developers prepare for ground investigations

A development aiming to breathe new life into Macclesfield town centre is moving forward as ground investigations get underway on the proposed site.

Boreholes and trial pits at Churchill Way car park will be carried out later this month by developer Ask Real Estate.

The move comes after Cheshire East Council agreed to sell the car park land to Ask for the delivery of a leisure-led scheme to serve as the centrepiece of the wider Macclesfield revitalisation efforts.

The proposals for the scheme include a six-screen cinema, restaurants, a retail unit, café pod and public realm improvements.

The Cheshire East cabinet member in charge of regeneration, Cllr Don Stockton, said: “It is excellent to see this project continuing to take significant steps forward towards delivering on our promise to the people of Macclesfield.

“We have said that we will regenerate the town and increase footfall for the benefit of retailers and businesses and this is another key stage of that process.”

He added: “This council is fully committed to seeing this exciting regeneration project move forward towards a successful planning application and delivery for the people of Macclesfield.”

Pictured: A CGI of what the scheme could look like

Speaking further, Cllr Stockton said that while the plans form a “key part” of the authority’s strategy to enhance the town centre, it is “far from […] the only project we are pursuing”.

He continued: “The council will continue to work collaboratively with landowners and other local stakeholders to ensure that local residents and businesses have a town centre they deserve – and of which they can be proud.”

The planning process will begin once contracts are formally exchanged. Although some car parking capacity will be lost, the council believes the town has sufficient capacity to meet requirements.

Cheshire East’s cabinet member for housing and planning, Cllr Ainsley Arnold, commented: “I am delighted that progress is being made towards delivering a scheme with the potential to significantly enhance the town centre offer.”

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