Retirement complex and care home proposed for warehouse site in Bollington
Plans have been submitted to build retirement apartments and a care home on the site of SMC Euroclamp at Bollington.
By Chester Standard
Plans have been submitted to construct a new retirement complex and care home on the former SMC Euroclamp warehouse site in Bollington, marking a significant shift in the town’s housing landscape and offering fresh support for older residents in the area. The proposal, which has drawn attention from local planners and community members alike, seeks to replace an industrial building with a modern facility designed to meet the growing demand for age-friendly accommodation in Cheshire East.
The site, long associated with manufacturing activity, will be transformed into a mixed-use development comprising self-contained retirement apartments and a dedicated care home, providing both independent living options and higher levels of support for those requiring daily assistance. The application, lodged with Cheshire East Council, outlines a comprehensive design that integrates accessibility, sustainability, and community connection into every aspect of the development.
According to the submitted documents, the retirement apartments will be ground-floor units with private gardens, wide doorways, and emergency call systems, ensuring safety and comfort for residents. The care home portion of the project will include 40 bedrooms, each equipped with personal care facilities, and will be staffed by trained professionals offering 24-hour support.
The facility is expected to serve not only Bollington but also surrounding villages in the Macclesfield and Stockport areas, where access to quality care homes has become increasingly limited. Local democracy reporter Belinda Ryan, who first reported on the plans, noted that the proposal reflects a broader trend across the region to repurpose outdated industrial sites for residential use, particularly for older adults.
“This is not just about building homes,” she said, “it’s about creating a supportive environment where people can live with dignity, independence, and connection to their community”. The move aligns with national strategies to expand housing options for the over-65 population, which is projected to grow by nearly 30 per cent over the next two decades.
In Cheshire East alone, the number of people aged 75 and over is expected to rise by more than 15,000 by 2035, placing additional pressure on existing care infrastructure. The former SMC Euroclamp site, located on John Street in Bollington, has been vacant for several years following the closure of the manufacturing operation.
Its conversion into a retirement and care facility represents a strategic use of land that has long been underutilised. The development team behind the project has emphasised that the new complex will be designed to blend with the town’s architectural character, using brick and stone materials that reflect Bollington’s traditional building style.
Green spaces, walking paths, and communal areas will be included to encourage social interaction and physical activity among residents. Community reaction to the plans has been mixed, with some residents welcoming the prospect of improved care options while others express concerns about increased traffic and changes to the local environment.
A public consultation event is scheduled for late July, where members of the public will be able to review the full application and raise any questions or objections. Cheshire East Council has stated that all feedback will be taken into account before a final decision is made, which is expected by early autumn.
The proposed development is being led by a consortium of housing and care providers with experience in delivering similar projects across the North West. One of the partners, Kingsley Healthcare Group, has a reputation for operating award-winning luxury care homes and has pledged to bring the same standards of quality to the Bollington site.
“We have a genuine passion for senior care and pride ourselves on making a real difference to the lives of our residents,” the company stated in a recent announcement. Their involvement is seen as a strong indicator that the project will be delivered with a focus on high-quality service and resident well-being.
If approved, the new complex is expected to be completed within three years, with construction beginning in early 2027. The project will create approximately 60 new jobs, including care staff, administrative roles, and maintenance positions, offering local employment opportunities in the health and social care sector.
It is also anticipated that the development will stimulate further investment in the area, potentially encouraging other developers to consider similar repurposing of industrial sites for residential use. The proposal comes at a time when demand for retirement housing and care homes in Cheshire East is outpacing supply.
Rightmove listings show that modernised retirement apartments in Bollington are already being acquired quickly, with some properties selling within days of being advertised. This suggests that there is a strong market for the type of accommodation being proposed, and that the new development could help fill a critical gap in local housing provision.
As the consultation process moves forward, the focus will remain on balancing the needs of the community with the benefits of the new development. The outcome of this application could set a precedent for how similar sites are used in the future, shaping the way Cheshire East addresses the housing and care needs of its older population.
For now, the town awaits the council’s decision, hoping that the project will bring lasting value to Bollington and its residents.