Pub and drive-thrus part of preferred purchaser's scheme

handforth site

Cheshire East Council has named an Alderley Edge based development company as the preferred purchaser for a 14 acre plot of land off the A34 bypass in Handforth.

Engine of the North, the Council's development company, marketed the Council-owned land, which is adjacent to Handforth Dean Retail Park, between June and September 2014. This exercise generated expressions of interest from 37 parties and 53 offers for the plot, which has been has been held as a strategic employment site for many years.

Following several further bidding rounds, an invitation to submit 'best and final' offers was issued in January 2015 and CPG Development Projects was selected as the Council's preferred purchaser.

The proposal from CPG Development Projects is for a retail led mixed use scheme which includes a public house and drive-thru restaurants.

Last year Next Plc were granted planning permission to build a home and garden superstore with a conservatory, garden centre, coffee shop and 209 car parking spaces. This would occupy approximately 3 acres of the 14 acre site.

CPG Development Projects has been selected as the preferred bid because it "offers the most certainty of generating the highest capital receipt".

Cabinet will consider the proposal to dispose of the Council's landholding at Earl Road, Handforth to CPG Development Projects at their meeting on Tuesday 3rd March.

As reported last week, Orbit Developments has submitted a planning application for a new retail development of five units along with a standalone single drive thru unit adjacent to the existing Handforth Dean retail park.

Tags:
CPG Development Projects, Handforth Dean
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Ryan Dance
Tuesday 24th February 2015 at 5:14 pm
Great to see a brownfield site being turned over for development....no doubts the negativity & NIMBYISM will begin.

Look forward to the debate in due course.
Jon Williams
Tuesday 24th February 2015 at 9:12 pm
Good news that, shame it's took so long for a deal to be done.
Pete Taylor
Tuesday 24th February 2015 at 9:29 pm
@ Ryan Dance, you are so on the money- brilliant news, isn't it? This brown-field site really is crying out for the right sort of development.

Engine of the North, appears to be a CEC created shell company (I could be wrong- usually am), inquiries are directed to a PR Company: http://www.rdpr.co.uk/

When I were a lad t'council emptied t'bins, shifted t'dog-poo, cut t'lawns and maintained the graveyard, not to mention funded the Police and Fire Services.
Is this all getting slightly out of control? After all; we pay the Council Tax.
Fred Rayers
Wednesday 25th February 2015 at 7:45 am
How about a wild flower meadow, there would be a nice view of it from the A34.
Tress Attwell
Wednesday 25th February 2015 at 11:31 am
Yes but isn't Orbit part of the Emerson Group i.e. Jones Homes?
Graham Cork
Wednesday 25th February 2015 at 1:08 pm
If this development goes ahead where are the travelling community going to "live"?
No doubt there will be some human rights lawyer fighting this proposed development on the grounds of illegal building on a CEC preferred travellers camp site!!

Why don't CEC just say that it is their "in bed" partners Jones Homes that are doing the development. Do they actually think the public don't realise who the Alderley Edge based developer is! Just think how Jones Homes can now market their new Handforth "village" development proposed for the north east side of the A34 bypass.

Cynical me? Never
Lisa Reeves
Wednesday 25th February 2015 at 1:16 pm
Hi Graham, the developer that has been selected as the preferred purchaser for this plot is CPG Development Projects (Consolidated Property Group) not Jones homes.
Graham Cork
Wednesday 25th February 2015 at 1:36 pm
Hi Lisa,

Missed that info when I read your report.

Now I am more confused!! CEC have awarded (as their preferred bidder) a company that is less than 18 months old?

About
CPG Development Projects Limited is a Private Limited Company registered on 18 September 2013, about 1 year and 5 months ago.

Company Name
CPG Development Projects Limited
Name Variation
CPG Development Projects Ltd
Private Limited Company
Company Number
08696022
Registered Address
56 London Road
Alderley Edge
SK9 7DZ
Country Origin
United Kingdom

Incorporation Date
18 September 2013
Company Age
1 year and 5 months
Classification (SIC)
Buying and selling of own real estate (68100)


I am definitely cynical now. And who runs this "fledgling" company then?
Barry Stafford
Wednesday 25th February 2015 at 2:50 pm
Graham you are dead on the money We know where most planning goes And no council gives this development to an 18 month old company. Perhaps the council leader will clarify. Don't hold your breath!
Simon Worthington
Wednesday 25th February 2015 at 2:57 pm
CPG Development Projects has been selected as the preferred bid because it "offers the most certainty of generating the highest capital receipt".
Is this just the purchase cost or ongoing income from this site? A new criteria. A new business tops the list!! Curiouser and curiouser. One could get all suspicious and think things are not all as they seem. Especially as the Orbit group did not win this one. Now I'm really suspicious.
Lisa Reeves
Wednesday 25th February 2015 at 3:05 pm
My understanding is CPG Development Projects is a division/sister company of Consolidated Property Group - http://www.consolprop.co.uk.
Graham Jackson
Thursday 26th February 2015 at 12:23 pm
Just shows how deep the mistrust is now between CEC and the electorate when instead of congratulating them on a deal done the electorate are looking for the catch, the pay off and who has had the bed feathered.
Ryan Dance
Thursday 26th February 2015 at 8:58 pm
Graham - rather than treating a much needed development with a somewhat cynical view ....why not celebrate the development (it's perfect for development). So what if it's Jones homes.... enlighten me on the residents campaign and vendetta against this business?
Simon Worthington
Friday 27th February 2015 at 7:59 am
Ryan. I could write you a book on why. This business ruined the approach to Wilmslow station. Research the old railway pub - demolished at a weekend. Check the to the rear of the north side of Water Lane, Adlington Road, Research Dr. Gibson and what was his "yard" and Riverside offices which were the result of an unusual deal. As you sit in the traffic caused by over development you will have plenty of time to ruminate. This new plan will suck what life is left out of Handforth village. And, as mentioned by Graham, we don't trust the council!
Ryan Dance
Friday 27th February 2015 at 8:10 am
Simon - the site is perfect for development & if the developer happens to be "Jones" (which it is not) so what?

The main reasons of opposition seem to be some absurd conspiracy theory, fear of a traffic jam and possible urban sprawl......all of which are propelled by the NIMBY class.
Graham Jackson
Sunday 1st March 2015 at 2:36 pm
@Ryan... why is the fear of traffic jams (which already happens on a daily basis on the A34 before any of these developments take place) and the extension of urban sprawl (linking the Cheadle conurbation to Handforth is a an extension of the Greater Manchester sprawl) classed as NIBYism? Over development is just plain wrong, will create a poorer environment and will eventually be a place where people will shun - so what's the point? Just doing it because we can and that it please's CEC and others, isn't a good enough reason.
Graham Cork
Sunday 1st March 2015 at 4:18 pm
@Ryan. Residents campaign? When have I ever mentioned a residents campaign??

Having been a resident of the Handforth area for over 40 years I have seen the demise of a lot of local shops due to these vastly overdeveloped retail areas. I've also seen these retail parks fail. Years ago Stanley Green Trading Estate was just that a trading estate which created a lot of local jobs. Now the same estate is derelict (apart from the B&Q site) and does not really employ locals at all.

If you recall it was approximately 2 years ago that CEC were trumpeting that the same site that is now going to have a drive through restaurant (McDonalds by any chance?) amongst other outlets was going to be a new Next superstore! Things never run smooth with CEC

As for Jones Homes - you need to do a bit of background research on the company and who they have links with (partnering companies etc). I remember when they were just a small Alderley Edge based housing developer some 35 years ago - how things changed.

Also who do you think actually funded the A34 bypass? It certainly wasn't Cheshire Council. It was funded by the main retail giants that happen to have stores adjacent to the bypass.

Not a NIMBY just a realist who has seen it all before. Especially as an election is due! And as for your "Much needed development" comment I take it your not from the Handforth area? as you would realise it is not a needed development.