PARKGATE Industrial Estate looks set to be given the green light for expansion today.

Developer Chancerygate wants to build 16 new units at the industrial estate, which could create up to 715 new jobs and generate an estimated £45 million for the economy.

Knutsford Town Council said it ‘strongly objects’ to the scheme due to ‘severe traffic issues’ in Mobberley Road and Parkgate Lane, which it believes would be worsened if the expansion goes ahead.

But ahead of today’s strategic planning board meeting where a decision is due to be made, Cheshire East Council officers believe they have a solution to those traffic woes – and are calling on councillors to approve the expansion.

In a report, officers said: “The site proposes an employment use on a site recently allocated in the local plan for such development. The principle of the development is therefore acceptable.

“The comments received in representation relating to the highway impact of the development are acknowledged, however as outlined by the highways authority this impact can be appropriately mitigated through the provision of a new roundabout at the Parkgate Lane and Mobberley Road junction and financial contributions towards improvement works at two junctions in Knutsford.”

A further 21 objections against the scheme were received by CEC ahead of the meeting.

Agent Hourigan Connolly, acting on behalf of Chancerygate, said there is a ‘clear market demand’ for light industrial space in Knutsford – with just 0.8 per cent of current sites being vacant.