TEN minutes were all that was needed for councillors to unanimously approve plans to build a new multi-storey car park at Alderley Park.

The Nether Alderley science campus has gone from strength to strength since redevelopment at the site began in 2016 – three years after AstraZeneca announced it was moving its research and development work to Cambridge.

And at Wednesday’s Cheshire East Council strategic planning board meeting in Macclesfield, members gave Alderley Park Ltd the green light for a 2,227-space car park to help it meet increasing demand.

Conor Vallelly, representing Alderley Park Ltd, said: “Alderley Park is a critical component in the Cheshire Science Corridor and is a globally important for advanced life sciences.

“The site is within the green belt, however it is brownfield and in an allocated site within the local plan strategy for development.

“The proposals have been designed to respect the surroundings, with a high-quality approach consistent with the Alderley Park site.”

Mr Vallelly added that the seven-storey car park forms part of a travel plan for Alderley Park, which is designed to ease traffic congestion.

A mini-roundabout will also be built, while the car park will include disabled spaces and electric vehicle charging points, and there will be green space and improved public realm surrounding the site.

The new car park will also mean other areas of Alderley Park can be pedestrianised.

In recommending the scheme for approval, CEC officers said: “The proposals will have positive benefits for pedestrians and site users, which will have knock-on benefits for the site and help build on the success of the site to the area and borough as a whole.

“There are also considered to be traffic management benefits from the scheme.

“The proposals will have a neutral impact on most other issues, including, amenity, ecology and environmental impacts.”