Cheshire East appoints regeneration consultants for Macclesfield

Cheshire East Council has appointed leading consultants to help develop a new regeneration vision for Macclesfield town centre.

Property experts Cushman and Wakefield will lead the team, with specialist input from internationally-renowned engineering firm WSP and Open, who specialise in designing and planning urban environments.

Professor Cathy Parker, from the Institute of Place Management at MMU has also been appointed as an independent expert to advise and support the team, particularly in engaging with local stakeholders.

‘As the Chancellor highlighted in his recent Budget statement, all town centres and high streets are facing unprecedented challenges as a result of changing consumer behaviour,’ said cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration, Cllr Ainsley Arnold.

‘Macclesfield has many unique advantages and continues to perform well compared with many places – but it is not immune to the difficulties all town centres, up and down the country, are facing.

‘The council is responding to this with a clear vision and strategy, so we can direct our efforts and resources where they will be most effective and have the greatest impact,’ added Cllr Arnold.

‘We have secured an experienced and knowledgeable team and I look forward to seeing the output from this work and hearing the views and ideas of the public. This will enable us to be clear about where our priorities should lie in doing what is within our power to help revitalise Macclesfield town centre.’

Last month, Tewkesbury Borough Council appointed consultants Mace to look at the options for regenerating Tewkesbury town centre.

Cheshire East Council is keen to ensure the exercise draws on local knowledge and is informed by the views of local residents, business and other stakeholders and will engage with local people at various stages in the process.

The programme of work is available to view on the regeneration pages of the council’s website at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk