THE firm behind Handforth Dean’s expansion has confirmed its proposals for the site to the Guardian ahead of the retail park’s first phase of development this month.

Consolidated Property Group (CPG) has completed construction of the new Next store, handing it over for fitting before its opening on Friday, November 18.

This is the first of three development phases for Handforth Dean, with a planning application for the remaining two phases having been submitted in January of this year.

The second phase will comprise a range of restaurants, and construction of this is scheduled to begin early next year.

Work on the third phase, featuring further retail outlets, a gym and hotel, is expected to begin in 2018.

Martin Ridgway, managing director of CPG, said: “The new Next store will provide the full Next range within an extremely high quality new building that has been very well received.

“The store is the first phase of the Handforth Dean Shopping Park proposal that will create hundreds of new jobs and help stop the flow of expenditure out of the area.

“The new Next concept store will be one of the first of its kind in the north west and provides a huge boost and a vote of confidence in east Cheshire.”

A decision on Handforth Dean’s planning application is yet to be made, with the proposal attracting some concern from residents over congestion.

Wilmslow Town Council’s planning committee stated in February that is was concerned over a “likely increase in traffic congestion on neighbouring roads”.

Handforth Parish Council did support the plan, although it added a note of concern over possible traffic issues.

In CPG’s planning application, Cameron Rose working on behalf of the firm noted that some road improvements may be needed in the area to accommodate the expanded retail park, but that “there are no overriding reasons” for the application to be refused on transport grounds.