Report by

MHARI KELLY

KINGSMEAD could undergo a radical facelift if a bumper pack of plans is approved for the estate.

Plans for a new development - to include a nursery, pub, chemist, mini-supermarket, video store, doctor's surgery and take-aways - are already on their way to Vale Royal Borough Council.

Councillors and planning officials will see the plans later this month.

If the scheme is given the go-ahead, building could start in January and the complex would be complete by the summer.

Property consultant Gooch Webster is the company behind the sale of the retail properties on behalf of developers Redrow McAlpine.

Paul McLeman, an associate director at Gooch Webster, said: "The area has been crying out for something like this for some time.

"But we have been involved in a lot of negotiation to get it right. This new neighbourhood complex will be very prominent and active in the area.

"We want to inform people that a planning application will be going in next week and then everything will be in the public domain."

Gooch Webster has sold the site for £1 million to a Leicester-based company, Concept Commercial Developments. They have exhanged contracts, but the agreement is subject to planning permission.

Mr McLeman described the plans, and the positive effects they could have for Kingmead, if the package wins the council's approval.

"The total size of the site is 2.9 acres and we have already earmarked various businesses for the land," he said.

"It is hoped that there will be a family JW Lees pub, a children's day nursery called Leapfrog, a mini supermarket of 4,000 feet, a Northwich-based doctor's practice and a Cheshire-based pharmacy.

"We are also in discussions with a national video rental operator and with several take-away food outlets.

"Ultimately there will be 1,600 houses on Kingsmead and these businesses will serve the area, which is expanding significantly."

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