Macclesfield regeneration should ‘celebrate its quirkiness’

Cheshire East Council has rubber-stamped a new regeneration vision for Macclesfield, after a public consultation said the town should ‘celebrate its quirkiness’.

The new framework identifies seven ‘character areas’ as a focus of regeneration and nine strategic priorities for transforming the town centre as a catalyst for wider regeneration in Macclesfield.

Consultants were appointed by the authority last year to put together the first draft framework and residents were given the chance to comment on the draft in February and March. It’s since been amended to take people’s comments into consideration.

79% of respondants agreed with the vision of Macclesfield as a ‘green, creative, connected and social’ town that ‘celebrates its quirkiness’ and is ‘rich in heritage and culture’ and ‘striving for a sustainable future’.

Meanwhile, 90% called on Cheshire East to improve green space in the town, 85% wanted to see better public spaces and 82 per cent called for improved pedestrian links and crossings.

Chestergate and the ‘historic heart’ outside Macclesfield Town Hall were the top priority areas for regeneration, according to respondents, followed in joint second place by the town’s retail core and the area outside the train station.

Cllr Nick Mannion, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said: ‘This strategic regeneration framework has been developed to give a clear direction for all those who want to help revitalise the town centre. It has been refined to take account of views raised via public consultation and I would like to thank everyone for their comments and for taking part in this valuable process.

‘Unless there is a clear vision, collaborative approach and a firm commitment by all stakeholders – as well as recognition that no proposals will please everyone – progress to regenerate Macclesfield town centre will not succeed.

‘Agreeing this strategic regeneration framework is a crucial step towards unlocking the fantastic potential of the town and delivering a town centre that the people of Macclesfield deserve and can really take real pride in.’

Read the framework here.

Photo Credit – Cheshire East Council