Plans for a retail park at a derelict and dangerous old mill site have been REFUSED.

Members of Cheshire East’s Strategic Planning Board have this afternoon voted by nine councillors to one to refuse the plans for four large shops at the Barracks Mill site on Black Lane.

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

The site has been abandoned and in a terrible state of repair since fire ravaged the buildings 15 years ago.

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 to go against the recommendation of the officers, due to the damage it would cause to 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.”

IT came after 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?”