Plans have been submitted to Cheshire East Council to extend the offices at the former Horseshoe Farm site on Horseshoe Lane, which lies within the Green Belt.
Select Property Group, who became the sole owner and occupier of the site in 2016, has been working to develop it as their international Head Quarters. The current works have provided a separate access from Wilmslow Road along with a building to provide staff amenity areas and their latest plans include infilling between the buildings to extend the offices by 13% as well as the creation of additional car parking and landscaping.
The proposed scheme includes woodland, a pedestrian footpath through a wildflower meadows linking to an external seating area, and a central courtyard space.
The application proposes to create 62 additional car parking spaces to provide a total of 120 spaces. The existing car park would be retained and resurfaced along with the creation of new visitor car parking areas including an overflow car park, which would be used less frequently.
Additionally, a new refuse collection area will be located to the southern site boundary, with space for refuse vehicles to access the proposed bin store.
The application states that the "very limited harm" to the openness of the Green Belt would be outweighed by very special circumstances which include economic benefits, the need for additional parking, improvements to highway safety and ecological benefits as the landscaping scheme would provide a screen for the development and a soft edge to the car park area.
The plans can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning reference 18/1591M. The last date for submitting comments is 2nd May and a decision is expected by 24th May.
