It's been a long wait, but after 10 months of consultation, a grand plan for Macclesfield has arrived – and it includes a new football ground and cinema.

Cheshire East Council rubber-stamped the exciting masterplan to regenerate the town centre at a cabinet meeting last Monday.

The vision focuses on redeveloping the town centre and the South Macclesfield Development Area (SMDA) between Congleton Road and London Road.

There are also improvements to rail links and new roads to and from the new developments, which will help reduce congestion.

'Low-carbon' football ground to be country's first

High on the list is the challenge of enhancing the town’s unique heritage – building on events like Barnaby and the markets.

The economy is also a key concern, with plans to reinforce Market Square, Chestergate and the upper part of Mill Street as the heart of the town centre.

And ideas for more leisure facilities include developing a new ‘retail quarter’ with a cinema, a department store and multi-storey car park.

Cheshire East will now go back to developers Wilson Bowden with the revised scheme and separate consultation will take place early next year.

Coun Jamie Macrae, cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: "The overwhelming message we have had from business people and local residents is that the town is not fulfilling its potential and that people want action.

"Now we have identified what action is needed and supported by the public.

"We will now be taking steps to get the key projects under way as well as provide advice, support and encouragement to help develop new firms and encourage networking to further strengthen the local economy.

"Macclesfield’s revitalisation is key to enhancing the economic prosperity and well-being of Cheshire East as a whole."

CEC will work with developers Wilson Bowden and separate consultation on the revised scheme will take place in 2011.

Here is what was agreed by cabinet, according to residents’ feedback and plans drawn up by consultants:

  • Economic Prosperity Forum for schemes to revitalise the economy
  • South Macclesfield Development Area to be a mixed development of retail, leisure, housing, a new football stadium and a link road connecting Congleton Road and London Road
  • Market Square and the Chestergate and the upper part of Mill Street should be reinforced as the heart of the town centre
  • Development should be in keeping with the character of the town and enhance heritage and conservation areas
  • The southern portion of the town around Park Green and land to the west of Churchill Way should be the focus for leisure uses, with the central ‘retail quarter’ focused on the Churchill Way, Exchange Street and Duke Street car parks, which would include a cinema and neighbouring department store and multi-storey car park
  • Links between new town centre developments and the railway station, via Sunderland Street, should be enhanced
  • A clear brand identity should be developed for Macclesfield
  • Public transport should be improved across the town to reduce congestion.

'Low-carbon' football ground to be country's first