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.
Comments
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Look forward to the debate in due course.
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.
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
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?
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.
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.
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.