County Hotel Development (Update)

I recently had the opportunity to inspect progress on the redevelopment of the site of the former County Hotel on Wilmslow Road. The site already has planning permission for a development of 14 apartments, but an amendment has recently been applied for which would see this number increase to 16 apartments.

The former County Hotel is a key gateway to our village of Alderley Edge and I know that residents are keen to know when the works are going to be completed, given that the site has been left in a state of dereliction and decay for a number of years. Thankfully, all that is now changing and works to transform the site have been ongoing for several months.

I would like to record my thanks to the representatives of Stockport Developments Ltd for allowing me access to the site and for showing me round. I would also like to thank them for finding a number of local community projects through voluntary infrastructure contributions, including the new cycle shelter at South Street Car Park and a pedestrian refuge on Wilmslow Road.

The following photographs give an indication of progress to date, as well as of the views which will be enjoyed by the eventual occupants of the apartments. Final completion is expected in Summer 2025. 

(c) photos are property of Cllr Craig Browne and may be reproduced with relevant credits.

ARDERNE PLACE PARKING RESTRICTIONS

I am writing to advise residents, visitors and businesses that there will be traffic controls around Arderne Place on Thursday 25th, Friday 26th and potentially Monday 29th July (weather permitting). Access will be controlled between the hours of 09.30 and 15.30 to enable Cheshire East Highways to introduce parking restrictions (double yellow lines) at this location.

Permanent parking restrictions are being introduced at the request of local residents and following a full public consultation, during which the proposals enjoyed a high level of public support. The restrictions are necessary to address obstructive parking around the entrance to Arderne Place, which has become a persistent problem and has caused repeated missed refuse collections to residential properties. 

The restrictions are being introduced at a cost of around £5,200 which I am funding from my Ward Councillor’s annual budget for minor highways works. My Ward Budget for 2023/24 was approximately £6,500. I would like to thank residents for their patience and support in helping me to bring this scheme to fruition and apologise for any inconvenience caused during the implementation phase.

UPDATE: BROOK LANE DAMAGED WALL

I am pleased to report that the boundary wall to a property on Brook Lane is finally to be reconstructed by Cheshire East Highways. The wall was severely damaged during a road traffic accident over six years ago and has been the subject of a complex legal process ever since. 

Lead Highways Engineer & Project Manager, Ian Maclachlan has confirmed that Cheshire East Legal Services have written to the property owner advising that the Highways Team will be accessing their land in order to carry out a reconstruction of the wall during week commencing Monday 20th May. 

Whilst the works are being carried out, temporary traffic signals will be in place. I would therefore advise local residents to use an alternative route, or allow additional time for their journey. Cheshire East Legal Services will be seeking to recover the costs of the reconstruction work. 

Hopefully this will allow a line to be drawn under this unfortunate, long running and frustrating episode.

CONGLETON ROAD: REPAIRS SCHEDULED

I am pleased to report that repair works to Congleton Road have now been scheduled for 21st - 24th May. During this period there will be traffic signals in place between the junctions of Beechfield Road and Whitebarn Road, so please allow extra journey time.

Level 2 patching repairs will be carried out (similar to the works that were carried out on London Road last year). This is something I have been pressing for over a number of months and I am grateful to officers from Cheshire East Highways for responding positively.

Further works are due to be carried out on Wilmslow Road (approaching Whitehall Brook Roundabout) later in the year. Cheshire East Council is now in the third year of an additional investment programme which has seen an extra £19m spent on repairs across the Borough; however, this figure represents only 10% of the investment that is actually needed, as the council has a backlog of over £180m in repairs for which no funding is available.