Egerton Estates confirmed yesterday (Tuesday) that they had bought the Ivy Bank Trading Estate in Mobberley for an undisclosed sum and would not be renewing the leases.

"It is a major coup for us to have bought the site and we will be developing it once the leases have expired," he said.

It is believed several developers fought to buy the prime site in Town Lane from former owners Edens.

The family, who previously ran a garage from the site, won permission to build houses years ago.

Yesterday, Karl Southern, of Cheshire Plumbing, said his firm had to move after seven years on the site.

"They can't touch us for another 12 months, but some of the other businesses are not so fortunate," he said.

"It does bother us because we have got to find somewhere else to trade."

Up to 50 employees are believed to work from the site for 10 different firms.

Craig Bracewell, manager of a fruit and vegetable wholesalers, said he had until October to leave after four years in Town Lane.

"We are trying to find somewhere else and hopefully we will have enough time to do that," he said.

Egerton Estates are now discussing their plans for the conservation site with Macclesfield Borough Council.

But yesterday, a spokesman for the award-winning developers, who are based in Alderley Edge, said they hoped to start work before the end of the year.

"We envisage providing cottage and mews homes and hopefully the properties will be completed by early summer next year," he said.

"We feel the market in Mobberley is as strong as Knutsford and Wilmslow."