DEVELOPERS have moved a step closer to expanding Handforth Dean this morning, May 24.

At a meeting in Macclesfield Town Hall, members of Cheshire East Council’s strategic planning committee voted to approve plans by Consolidated Propert Group (CPG) to build retail units and restaurants in Earl Road.

Ahead of the meeting, CEC officers recommended the plan was refused as a ‘loss of employment land’, but CPG urged that there was no interest in using the site for offices.

Cllr Barry Burkhill, member for Handforth, urged his fellow councillors to put employment at the top of their minds when making the decision.

“We now have the Next unit, and the site has become more acceptable for retail rather than offices,” he said.

“The jobs would be ideal for the people living in nearby estates, there are footpaths connecting them to the site and it’s very easy to get to.”

Cllr John Hammond suggested the land was a ‘natural site’ to expand the development, while Cllr Sarah Pochin insisted that if the plan was rejected the site would be in the same situation ‘for another 20 years’.

“This has been marketed to death for years, and we need to face up to that, it is not viable employment land,” she said.

“People want offices in Manchester city centre, there is no demand for offices on this site.”

But Cllr Toni Fox raised concerns for the future of Wilmslow town centre, which WYG had suggested could lose out on £2.7 million of trade after the first five years of the expanded retail park.

“We’ve seen the damage that Handforth Dean has already done to Handforth’s centre and if this goes ahead I can see the same thing happening in Wilmslow,” she said.

“I think this would be a short-term gain, but a long-term loss for our neighbouring towns and cities.”

Stockport Council had also objected to the proposal over fears for its town centre, but CPG promised a five-year ‘no closure’ clause for firms moving in to the new site.

Cllr Derek Hough felt the impact on town centres would be less significant, but raised fears that employment land would be moved away from SK9 and would be provided in the south

“We know a field in the south and they will move it there, and that’s the truth of it.”

Members voted to approve the application subject to conditions and section 106 agreements, including one for a local employment agreement, by seven to four.

The application will now be considered by the secretary of state before a final decision is made.

Following the decision Martin Ridgway, managing director at CPG, told the Guardian: "I'm delighted with the outcome, which has taken many months of negotiation with the council’s officers.

“We also welcome the debate among members at the committee and especially the manner in which they addressed the many issues relevant to the applications.”

Councillors also voted to approve applications from CPG to build four restaurants and three drive-thru cafes on the site, as well as to demolish the garden centre at Next and replace it with two further retail units.