A multi-million pound deal secured by Cheshire East Council’s development company Engine of the North could lead to 1,200 jobs in the retail and restaurant sectors at Handforth Green.
The Alderley Edge-based retail property developer Consolidated Property Group (CPG) has entered into an agreement to purchase the 15-acre site next to the Handforth Dean retail park. Construction of the first phase is due to begin in December.
This will see the opening of a large-scale Next fashion and homeware store with the creation of 220 jobs.
Further phases of the project at the former Airparks site, off Earl Road, will be the subject of a planning application that is due to be submitted after the developer has completed a consultation with the public.
If approved, the further phases could take the whole scheme to around 320,000 sq ft of retail space, including shops, ‘drive-thrus’ and restaurants, plus car parking and a gym.
It could be at least three years before the entire development is completed but phase one is expected to be finished by next summer.
The whole development will be a significant addition to the existing Handforth Dean Marks and Spencer and Tesco complex nearby, bringing about a convenient out-of-town shopping city.
Councillor Jamie Macrae, chairman of Engine of the North, the Council’s wholly-owned development company, said: “This is the best possible use of this land and we are delighted that it will make such a significant contribution to the economic and commercial prosperity of the Borough.
“The Handforth Dean development has been a tremendous success for Cheshire East and has proved to be extremely popular with our residents and the residents of other boroughs, such as Stockport and Manchester.
“I am also pleased that it will be a local business, CPG, that will carry forward this scheme, which will create in the order of 1,040 jobs, when completed.”
