THE semi-derelict former Manor Lane Business Park in Holmes Chapel is earmarked for a major redevelopment.

Planning approval for a mixed use commercial development is being sought by Aus-Bore Estates from Cheshire East Council.

The scheme would see the construction of seven buildings, subdivided into multiple units, 198 parking spaces, including 21 disabled spaces, landscaping and associated infrastructure.

The site is currently unused vacant scrub land, the former industrial buildings have been demolished and an application in 2015 for up to 65 homes on the site was refused.

A report with the application by The Planning Studio said: “The proposal will bring forward appropriate employment and economic forms of development, reusing derelict and under-used previously developed land, which until recently was the site of the applicant’s Manor Lane Business Park.

“The proposals are part of the site owner’s long-term investment in the future of the site as an employment-generating development site, investing considerable sums of money from their own funds to deliver a high quality, modern business park that will be designed and managed by the Aus-Bore Estates company, a Wilmslow-based family-run company employing many people from the Cheshire East area.

“It is highly likely that if permission is not granted for redevelopment for the proposed employment and commercial-related development, then given the strong opposition to housing development of the site, its current semi-derelict appearance will continue to decline as the site becomes increasingly derelict.

“The better, more sustainable option, would be to support the redevelopment of the site for policy compliant employment development and other forms of economic development, utilising previously developed land within a defined settlement boundary.

“The development of the site for non-housing related development should attract the support of the JBO (Jodrell Bank Observatory,) who argued redevelopment of the site for employment uses would be preferable over a housing development in regard to a previous outline application for 65 homes on the site in 2016.

“The proposals deliver sustainable development, with clear economic, social and environmental benefits.”

The report said the development would also create job opportunities for the local area, employing local contractors and labour during construction of the units, creating jobs for local people, and further employment for maintenance and window cleaning.

The deadline for comments on the application is October 18, and the target date for a decision is December 5.