MIDDLEWICH marina could finally become a reality, with outline plans for the first stage of the Brooks Lane redevelopment submitted to Cheshire East Council.

The plans, detailing a 12-berth marina, 137 homes, retail, employment and restaurant space, place the site to the south of Brooks Lane, and would involve the relocation of Intertechnic UK Ltd.

Staffordshire-based 2 Cities Planning Consultancy will head up the ‘Marina Salinae’ outline application, as part of the larger mixed use Brooks Lane site proposed in the local plan.

At least 30% of the proposed residential developments would be affordable, with 65 two to three-bedroom homes, 56 two to three-bedroom apartments, and 16 two to three-bedroom retirement homes in the first instance.

The re-development of the Intertechnic site will require high density housing of 47 dwellings per hectare, with access from Road Beta to the north east of the site and the Trent and Mersey Canal to the west.

There is also space earmarked for retail employment and food outlet space, as well as a children’s play area and further landscaping.

Steve Mennell, managing director at Intertechnic, told the Guardian: “What it will bring to the town is fantastic, rather than our scruffy industrial area. It’s fantastic for the town with the opportunities it will bring.

“We need to expand and take in more land, and to combine it with the marina is excellent, really, to provide something back to the town.

“Our business is absolutely committed to the north west and investing in it. It allows us to develop a new site and bring more jobs to the area.”

Further development in Brooks Lane would involve an expansion of the marina itself, as well as up to 263 more homes and other mixed use development.

While the scheme does not feature plans for services such as a schools or health servies, it would contribute financially and emphasises improved pedestrian and cycle routes to allow easy access.

A similar scheme on a larger scale, proposing 200 homes and a marina, was rejected by Congleton Borough Council in 2004 largely due to access reasons, and was not appealed.

The new application has submitted a detailed transport assessment, concluding that the development would “not present a detrimental impact” to the highways network.

Among the consultees are Middlewich Town Council and its three Cheshire East Council ward members, Cllrs Bernice Walmsley, Simon McGrory and Mike Parsons. The outline application will be discussed by the town council to prepare a recommendation for borough level.

The outline application is scheduled to be discussed by the borough council’s Southern Planning Committee, of which Cllr Walmsley is a member, on November 23 with a decision expected by the end of the year.