Plans to convert Crewe commercial buildings into 108 flats
Councillors will rule on the plans this week
By Cheshire Live
Councillors in Cheshire East are due to decide this week on plans to convert and extend two commercial buildings in Crewe into 108 flats.
The application, from Packwood Ventures Ltd, covers Breeden House and Regency Court and would remodel, extend and partly change the use of the buildings.
According to the report, the scheme would keep the existing three-storey building fronting Edleston Road and High Street, and turn it into a seven-storey development. It would include nine ground-floor retail units facing Edleston Road, with 108 one and two-bedroom apartments above.
The plans do not include any affordable homes. A viability assessment commissioned by the council says the scheme cannot support them.
A council planning officer’s report says Cheshire East cannot currently show a five-year housing land supply, and says that adds significant weight to the proposal.
The report also says the applicant wants to use a construction method called TopHuis, which would retain part of the existing building fabric to reduce carbon released during construction.
Crewe Town Council and a number of residents have raised concerns about parking, with the proposal including 24 spaces. The report says the expected shortfall of about 15 spaces is considered acceptable because of the town-centre location and access to frequent public transport and nearby destinations.
The southern planning committee is due to meet at 10am on Wednesday, July 29, at Delamere House in Crewe.