Dobbies Garden Centres plc, which currently operates 24 garden centres across the UK, are planning to build a 69,000 sq ft gardening superstore on a 17 acre site in Nether Alderley. Dobbies plans for Garden World include: a modern garden centre, locally supplied farm food hall, restaurant, aquatics department, play area, 400 car parking spaces and an interactive garden-themed visitor attraction called the Greenhouse.
Dobbies will be working with S E Matthews and are seeking to draw on the approved planning permission for the relocation of the original Matthews Garden Centre (which was for another local site now considered undevelopable). Access to the Garden World will be via the new Frog Lane roundabout at the junction of the A34 and the new bypass.
Stuart Wright, Property Director at Dobbies, told us “We are delighted to be working with SE Matthews to draw on our combined horticultural expertise in order to submit a planning application for a garden centre of the highest quality. We were established as a horticultural business in 1865 and the opportunity to build on SE Matthew’s 65 years of trading in Nether Alderley is very exciting.” Stuart Wright added: “We are looking forward to embarking on the public consultation process next week and engaging in a constructive dialogue with local residents about our proposals.”
This week Dobbies sent letters and questionnaires to 4,000 homes and public exhibitions of the proposals are being held on Wednesday 13th May at Nether Alderley Parish Hall and on Thursday 14th May at Alderley Edge Cricket Club on Moss Lane. Both exhibitions will run from 2pm - 8.30pm and representatives from Dobbies will be available to answer questions. Dobbies have stated that your feedback is an important part of preparing their planning application and will be considered before the application is submitted to Cheshire East Council.
Further information regarding the proposal and the online questionnaire can be found at www.dobbies.com/netheralderley.aspx. Dobbies are requesting that any comments be submitted by Friday, May 22. What’s your view? A representative from Dobbies is now a member of alderleyedge.com so any comments you wish to post below will reach them.
