A six-week consultation period on the draft development framework for Alderley Park will commence on Friday, January 30th.
Comments are invited from technical bodies, amenity groups, residents, businesses, developers and anyone with an interest in the planning and development of this 400-acre strategic employment site.
The draft framework outlines Cheshire East Council's expectations for future development on the site following the planned withdrawal of AstraZeneca's research and development function.
It outlines the ambition for Alderley Park to continue as a world class life science centre, reconfigured from a single user to a hub for life science activities. It also aims to clarify the parameters for any future development which may come forward on the site.
Manchester Science Partnerships (MSP), the new owner of Alderley Park, is proposing to invest £107m over 10 years to improve the site, repurpose buildings to make them suitable for multi-occupancy, decommission redundant facilities, and maintain and improve key assets to retain the site's world class R&D capabilities.
As set out in the framework, there may be scope for development for alternative uses on the site, including residential, to create a mix of uses which will provide income to support the establishment of the life science hub.
Rowena Burns, Chief Executive Officer of MSP, said: "The future of Alderley Park as a high quality bioscience centre is vitally important to the local economy.
"Since MSP purchased the site we have been working on how we can deliver the high-quality, sensitive and appropriate development within the site necessary to secure that future."
Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council said: "Our aim is to create an independent, self-sustaining, world-class hub for life sciences, while also protecting the heritage of this unique site.
""The early signs are very promising and we hope that with the right planning framework in place we can ensure this site remains a strategic life science site of world-class quality."
Anyone interested can view the draft framework on the Cheshire East Council website. Copies will also be available to view in Cheshire East libraries and at council offices in Macclesfield, Crewe and Sandbach.
Comments and representations can be made between Friday, January 30th and March 13th either online Or by letter to Jo Wise, CEC Spatial Planning Team, c/o Municipal Buildings, Earle Street, Crewe CW1 2BJ.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
The following statement seems to be something of a loaded gun:
"Without high value land uses, such as high quality
residential development on the site, the costs
associated with repurposing the facilities on site to be
suitable for multiple occupiers and safeguarding and
maintaining the existing scientific assets is likely to be
an unrealistic business model. Without such uses, the
land owner may be under pressure to let floorspace
for uses not so aligned with the Council’s broader
objectives. This would not be the desired outcome as
it would be likely to result in the outstanding quality
of the sites’ specialist science facilities and research
capability being downgraded, and the opportunities
associated with these assets severely diminished or
lost forever".
In other words- this proposal is not financially viable, either let us build fancy houses, or we will move in whatever tenants we can find.
CEC (or rather a small number of them) seem to have rushed into this; I wonder how many of those involved in the decision will still be there after the May elections?
Who knows.... It could be a bigger attraction than Appleby fair or Dale Farm !!
Maybe the directors would have a view on that non profit making option....