A MAJOR canalside development is due to come back onto the agenda having been sat with council chiefs for two years.

Intertechnic wants to build a 12-berth marina, 137 homes, plus shops and cafes on land at the Brooks Lane Industrial Estate, in Middlewich.

The firm had its plans rejected by Cheshire East Council in June 2017 as councillors felt they were ‘premature’ before the council had agreed on a masterplan for regeneration in the Brooks Lane area.

But the Guardian understands that could be resolved as early as next month – paving the way for CEC’s strategic planning board to make a fresh decision on Intertechnic’s plans this winter.

In its planning statement, Intertechnic said: “The site’s canalside location makes it a clear opportunity for housing-led, mixed-use development and a marina.

“The proposals would have substantial benefits in terms of both the economic and social dimensions of sustainability.

“They would also have a major positive impact on the canal conservation area and the appearance of the area in general.”

The developer first submitted the plans in September 2016.

Northwich Guardian:

It resubmitted those plans in December 2017 – six months after CEC’s strategic planning board had first thrown them out – on the grounds that they were no longer ‘premature’ because they fit into the council’s local plan, which was adopted in July 2017.

Intertechnic wrote to CEC last October in an effort to speed up the planning process, before the council held a public consultation on its own masterplan for Brooks Lane regeneration this January.

The council’s planning website now suggests the strategic planning board will consider the marina plans at its meeting in November.

However, CEC wants to have its own Brooks Lane masterplan signed off first, before councillors consider Intertechnic’s plans.

The Guardian understands that decision is likely to come in either December or January, provided the council masterplan is agreed by the strategic planning board at November’s meeting.

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In previous comments made to CEC, Middlewich Tankwash and W.O. Sheeran Ltd – both on the industrial estate – have raised concerns that their businesses could be affected by future noise complaints from nearby residents at the new development.

To view the plans, search for ‘17/6366C’ on CEC’s planning website.