MIDDLEWICH business park, Midpoint 18, could be named as a possible employment site in Congleton Borough's Local Plan despite recommendations by a planning inspector to reduce the allocation of land.

An inspector's report expressed concern at the need to allocate so much land to employment and the effect on the viability of tenancy at Cledford Hall.

But planning officers at the borough council have said that the extent of the land is 'justified in terms of providing a site of strategic significance large enough to attract inward investment'.

A planning committee meeting yesterday, Tuesday, proposed no modification to the allocation of land. Instead members opposed a reduced site area and backed their decision on a number of grounds, including:

It is a logical and appropriate extension to the existing Midpoint 18 estate which is well established and successful and would not impact on residential areas and areas of high environmental value.

It has good access to the motorway as well as potential access to railway network.

The site is of strategic significance and would accord with regional and structure plan policy which seeks the provision of a major strategic employment site at Middlewich.

The allocation is a key element in the borough's overall employment land strategy providing a suitable location for a range of types of employment uses, particularly large distribution and warehouse units, which cannot be accommodated on other sites in the borough and in an area where there is considerable demand.

It will facilitate the provision of the remainder of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass to relieve north-south through traffic.

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