PLANS to continue a major regeneration scheme at a former chemical works have been given the green light from councillors.

Members of Cheshire East Council’s strategic planning board unanimously approved Bluefield Sandbach’s scheme to build 100 homes, plus a care home, pub, convenience shops and offices at the former Albion Chemicals site, in Moston.

The scheme follows on from the 371-home development elsewhere on the site, in Booth Lane, which housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is currently completing.

Permission had previously been granted for the land to be used for offices or industry, but Mark Krassowski, acting on behalf of Bluefield, said the new planning application was submitted ‘to respond to a change in market conditions’.

He said: “There is no demand for the consented 12,000sq m of office development, and other industrial uses do not provide sufficient revenue to cover the remediation costs and see a return on the original land value.

“The 2,600sq m of roadside commercial uses will also not come forward without more housing on the site.”

The planning application gave Bluefield the option to build 20 additional houses if a separate bid from LNT Care Developments to build a 66-bed care home on the site was rejected, but councillors gave the thumbs up to the care home at the same meeting.

Meanwhile, Bluefield is waiting for the result of a planning application which would confirm that German chemical firm Brenntag could move into a two-storey office block on the site.

“These developments are ready to come forward immediately,” Mr Krassowski added.

“The 100 housing units proposed will tie the two ends of the brownfield site together, providing a critical mass to attract tenants to the commercial uses which are likely to include a pub or restaurant, and local convenience uses.”

Moston Parish Council had given its support to the scheme, while ward member Cllr John Wray also backed the bid.

The Conservative member for Brereton Rural said: “I’m very pleased to see the site redeveloped, and with a mixed-use as well which is generally a good thing.”

Cllr Gill Merry, chairman of the strategic planning board, added: “It’s regrettable to see the loss of potential employment on the site but I recognise it is what it is.”