Fashion retailer Next plans to bring a new home and garden centre to Handforth – along with £10m investment and jobs for the area.
The high street chain is seeking planning permission for the old airparks site at Handforth Dean Retail Park.
It would be built on land off the A34 bypass near to the Marks and Spencer and Tesco stores on land which has been undeveloped for almost 20 years.
Residents across Handforth and Wilmslow are being consulted over the proposed development.
If the company gets the go ahead to open the home and fashion store it will close its neighbouring clothing shop at the Stanley Green retail park and transfer all staff and stock to the new operation. New job opportunities would also be created.
A spokesman for Next said: "We have been consulting with residents at exhibitions, via social networking sites and sending out flyers.
"So far feedback has been positive. But it all comes down to Cheshire East Council which has to make a decision whether it wants to make the council-owned land available to us for the new store.
"If they give us the go ahead then a planning application will be submitted. For now they have asked us to consult with residents and gauge local opinion.
"The land has been earmarked for commercial development but has been underused and just standing empty for around 20 years.
"We feel that Handforth Dean would benefit from this new store as we’re not only making a £10m investment in the area but we will be creating more jobs for local people."
Planners at Cheshire East will decide early next year whether the land will be made available for the new store. In the meantime the council has suggested that the company gathers the views of local people.
Flyers have been distributed to homes and there have been two exhibitions in Wilmslow and Handforth. The final exhibition is being held today (November 1) at Handforth Youth Centre, on Old Road, from noon until 7pm. For more details about the development contact 0207 2420170.
