Major Alderley Park schemes set for green light

A major planning application for lab and office space at Alderley Park with the capacity to support about 1,600 jobs is set to move forward after being recommended for approval, as are separate plans for retirement accommodation at the landmark Cheshire location.Bruntwood SciTech is behind plans for 200,000 sq ft of space across two adjacent locations at Mereside Campus on the park.The application seeks full planning for the demolition of buildings on site and outline approval for the development of the two buildings for the life sciences industry. There will also be space for ancillary retail and café usages.About 1,600 on-site jobs would be supported by the scheme alongside 650 during construction.According to a report to be scrutinised by Cheshire East Council, the application proposes life science development that the re-purposed Alderley Park was set up to encourage and is fully supported. Approval is recommended.The council’s planning committee will also look at an application for a retirement development on a cleared Alderley Park site at the north of an area referred to as Heatherley Woods.Bruntwood SciTech and Symphony Park are seeking permission for a “best-in-class” single integrated retirement community comprising 159 extra care units in a building ranging from three to six storeys across three linked “blocks”.Despite the application being described as finely balanced, with issues raised in relation to the size of the building, tree loss and the affordable housing provision, the “high-quality” development that will “contribute positively to Alderley Park” has been recommended for approval.The recommendation is subject to conditions including one that profits are be re invested in life science development.