Multimillion pound deal for retail scheme agreed

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A multimillion pound deal to build a new retail sector in Handforth Dean has taken a step forward after an agreement was made for the land…

The land next to the Handforth Dean retail park has been secured to build a multimillion pound retail hub.

Consolidated Property Group (CPG), from Alderley Edge, secured a deal with Cheshire East Council’s development company Engine of the North for the land.

The scheme, which will span 15-acres, is expected to create in the region of 1,200 jobs in retail and the food services industry.

The first phase of the construction process is expected to begin next month. Among the first units to be built will be a large-scale Next store and a homeware shop, which will create around 220 new roles.

Planning permission will be sought for the remaining phases of the project, following a public consultation. If plans are approved, the site could span around 320,000 sq ft and would incorporate retail space, restaurants, a gym, and car parking spaces.

It is expected the entire development could take up to three years to build, but the first phase should complete by summer 2016. The local authority said the new plans would add significantly to the existing Handforth Dean retail park, which includes Marks & Spencer, as well as Tesco.

Chairman of Engine of the North Jamie Macrae said: “This is the best possible use of this land and we are delighted that it will make such a significant contribution to the economic and commercial prosperity of the borough.

“The Handforth Dean development has been a tremendous success for Cheshire East and has proved to be extremely popular with our residents and the residents of other boroughs, such as Stockport and Manchester.

“I am also pleased that it will be a local business, CPG, that will carry forward this scheme, which will create in the order of 1,040 jobs, when completed.”

Martin Ridgeway, group managing director at CPG, said: “It is really important that local people, councillors and community groups engage in the consultation process and help shape any proposals that come forward.

“We look forward to holding public consultation events before any further planning application is submitted.

“We are delighted to be working with Cheshire East Council’s Engine of the North in creating this landmark scheme, which will deliver a high-quality destination, providing maximum number of jobs and choice for shoppers.”

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