Big leisure complex in pipeline for Albion site near Middlewich (From Middlewich Guardian)

Big leisure complex in pipeline for Albion site near Middlewich

5:03pm Friday 13th November 2009 in News Exclusive By David Morgan

A MULTI-MILLION pound development including a hotel, restaurant and health club could soon be built near Middlewich.

Massive plans have been submitted to build 375 homes, including affordable housing, a 12,000 sq m business park and large open space at the former Albion Chemicals site on Booth Lane, Moston.

Middlewich Town Council discussed the proposal, put forward by Bluefield Ltd and Company and Countryside Properties Ltd, at its planning committee meeting last Wednesday.

Despite raising a number of concerns, most members appeared to be in favour of the ambitious plans.

Clr Peter Hirst said: “It’s on our doorstep so we should be involved as much as we can. We want to retain a sense of community with this development.”

Deputy town clerk Stephen Dent added: “Baring in mind it’s an outline application, in principal I wouldn’t object to mixed development there.

“It’s certainly a lot more attractive for people coming into Middlewich on canal boats than a chemical site.”

Town clerk Jonathan Williams told the committee that if the plans are given the green light a section 106 order should be secured to improve infracture, education or health facilities for people nearby.

A section 106 order is a planning obligation to provide services and amenities to facilitate a development.

The Middlewich councillors also agreed that items of industrial heritage should be salvaged from the old chemical site before any work commences.

This is following the successful extraction of the Bisto Kids sculpture from the RHM factory in Booth Lane, which is now in Middlewich library.

“We need to get everything out of it that we can,” said Clr Jean Eaton.

But Clr Mike Parsons was concerned that the old railway track at the site had ‘disappeared’ from the plans.

He added: “There is a working railway there which could be a valuable resource. We shouldn’t discard what, in effect, is a good working track.”

A Middlewich resident also fears that the large development could have an impact on the many watercourses that flow around and through Middlewich and potentially cause flooding.

In a letter to Cheshire East Council, Margaret Joyce, of Croxton Lane, said: “I feel the planning authority needs to ensure that the flood reports reflect the worse case scenario.

“If outline permission is granted, without being absolutely certain that the various parties have a firm agreement regarding discharge rights, the costs to the developer could increase substantially.

“The risk of flooding in Middlewich, damage to property and difficulty obtaining insurance could all rise – to the detriment of Middlewich residents.”

A Cheshire East spokesman added: "The council accepts that the site may change in terms of its activities, including the closure of the main chemical plant.

"The authority would like to retain employment or see new development possibilities.”