Developers hoping to build a retail park on the site of a derelict mill say they will fight on after their plans were rejected by the council.

Plans for the £13million retail park were refused after councillors voted by nine to one against plans for four large shops at the Barracks Mill site on Black Lane.

Council officers recommended the application was approved as it would create jobs and investment in the local area, and said while it would have an adverse affect on the town centre, this would not be significant.

But councillors on Cheshire East’s Strategic Planning Board voted against the recommendation.

When contacted by the Express, John Whateley, director at applicant Cedar Invest, said the company will appeal against the decision.

He said: "The planning committee decision for refusal is extremely disappointing.

"We have demonstrated that retail warehousing is the only viable use for the site, which has been independently qualified.

"In addition to this we have undertaken a full retail impact assessment, which has been reviewed by two independent consultants on behalf of the council, and both confirmed that that scheme would not have a significant adverse impact on Macclesfield Town Centre – this is the critical planning policy test which the members appeared to disregard at the committee meeting.

"We consider that the significant investment and job creation from the redevelopment will be beneficial to the regeneration of Macclesfield, not to mention the improvement of a longstanding problem site. Our only option is to now submit an appeal."

The site has been unused since 2004 when fire ravaged the buildings.

It has also attracted anti-social behaviour and police put out safety warnings after young people climbed over the derelict buildings.

Plans to turn it into a retail park have been in the pipeline for many months with those in favour of redeveloping the site arguing it would tidy up one of the gateways into the town.

The units were expected to be taken up by big name national brands.

However others claimed it would divert trade from the town centre.

Coun Liz Durham, who proposed the application for refusal, said: “Macclesfield deserves to try and regenerate itself without the hindrance of this development.”

Coun Nick Mannion said: “Any more impact on the town centre will tip it beyond recovery.”

But Coun Sarah Pochin, who voted in favour of the development, warned: “Do you really want to be looking at this site in the same state in another 15 years?”

An agent for the applicant Cedar Invest told the committee the scheme would have ‘significant wider regeneration benefits’, but objectors included Macclesfield Town Council, Macclesfield Civic Society and Eskmuir Securities Limited which owns the Grosvenor Shopping Centre.

Pete Turner, of Macclsfield Town Council said members had ‘grave concerns’ because the park would draw customers away from the town centre.

Coun Beverley Dooley said residents would like to see housing on the site instead, adding: “Businesses in the town centre are on a knife edge.”

Macclesfield MP David Rutley last week warned that the retail park plan could adversely harm the town.

Mr Rutley urged councillors on the planning committee to go against their officers’ advice and reject the scheme.