Approval recommended for King’s School scheme

Plans for the redevelopment of a former King’s School campus look set to be backed next week. It would be the third and final site associated with the historic Macclesfield school to secure approval for a residential scheme, although the proposals have come up against a host of objections.

The school – which can trace its roots back to 1502 – was spread across a trio of locations on Cumberland Street, Fence Avenue and Westminster Road. As part of its plans to relocate to a co-educational facility at Derby Fields in Prestbury, new uses have been sought for the three.

Fence Avenue now has planning permission for up to 300 properties and has been acquired by Homes England. The site at Westminster Road will be redeveloped by McCarthy and Stone and Bellway for up to 150 ddwellings.

Plans for Cumberland Street are now set to go before Cheshire East Council’s planning committee, which meets on 29 January.

Proposed are 115 properties, with the project also involving demolishing the buildings on-site. This would be made up of 71 homes and 44 Later Living apartments.

Macclesfield Town Council has objected to the application on a number of grounds, while representations were also received from more than 125 addresses over two periods of consultation including a petition, residents and community groups.”

Despite this, a report to the planning committee said: “Macclesfield is one of the principal towns and growth areas of the borough where national and local plan policies support sustainable development.”

“The proposal provides 115 dwellings of an acceptable scale relative to the principal town of Macclesfield and would deliver housing within a highly sustainable location adjoining the Town Centre Boundary.”

“It is for sustainable development, which would bring environmental, economic and social benefits.”

Approval has been recommended.