Work is finally going to start on redeveloping the site of the former County Hotel at Harden Park, which has remained vacant since its closure in November 2009.
Since then the site has been derelict, the building has fallen into a sorry state of decline and has been subject to a number of incidences of vandalism and theft over the years.
The former hotel was originally known as 'Arden House' around the 1880s and was a semi detached residential villa set amidst several other Victorian villas within their own spacious grounds, including 'Lindow Grove' now known as The Merlin and 'Merchistown' which became 'Yesterdays' nightclub and has since been replaced with a residential development.
Seddon were granted planning permission in October 2013 for the demolition of the existing building and construction of 14 three bedroom apartments with underground parking.
Large areas of hardstanding forming the hotel car park will also be removed from the site, which is situated within the North Cheshire Green Belt, and replaced with soft landscaping throughout.
Councillor Craig Browne commented "I am delighted to say, as a result of a recent planning amendment this site is finally going to be developed along the lines of the 2013 planning consent.
"I have been speaking to the developers and they assured me subject to a bat survey building work should commence before the end of October."
Additionally, a separate linked application has recently been approved for the installation of a pair of dropped curbs and a traffic island on Alderley Road, immediately North of the junction with Harden Park, adjacent to County Hotel.
Councillor Craig Browne added "I am hopeful that in addition to helping the current and future occupants of Harden Park cross the road it will also narrow the carriageway and hopefully help reduce vehicle speeds as a result."
The plans can be viewed on the Cheshire East Planning Portal by searching for reference 12/4353M.
Comments
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The playing fields in front of it (now Ryleys School playing fields) and the black and white pavilion were used a lot. The pavilion served as a school assembly hall, an indoor exercise area when the weather was poor, a theatre for school shows etc!
There were classrooms in the front of the school which were at best temporary structures!