Site appreciation

The site comprises the former Irlam’s Depot together with the adjacent area of land used as overflow parking for the market. The former Irlams depot has been in use as a haulage yard for many years and over this time the comings and goings of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) have detracted from the quiet attractive nature of Chelford Village.

The site was purchased in 2008 by The Stobart Group as part of the acquisition of James Irlam and Sons. The Group is using the depot on a temporary basis as it intends to relocate the employees to other Stobart sites at Appleton, Warrington and Stoke-on-Trent, which have better access to the motorway. It is necessary therefore to find an alternative use for the site as the Chelford depot will become redundant

The planning policy considerations constrain the options for the re-use of the site to haulage or a waste recycling facility where recyclable waste would be mechanically or manually separated, baled and stored prior to reprocessing. The Stobart Group would however, like to provide a more sensitive scheme. The group has been discussing the future of the site with the Parish Council in order to provide a proposal that would be more appropriate to the character and appearance of the existing village.

There is an identified shortage of housing within Cheshire East and the former Macclesfield Borough to meet both general market and local needs. The company would therefore like to progress a scheme that enables jobs to be provided on the site together with housing for general sale and for local households. Provision would also be made for community facilities if required.

The site lies largely within the settlement boundary of Chelford, with an area of the land falling within the adjoining Green Belt. However, this land has historically been used in association with the haulage business; there would be accordingly no extension of built development into the surrounding countryside as a result of the proposal.

Existing site entrance

Existing site entrance

Existing site