Middlewich Town Wharf plans hailed as 'best thing for town in 20 years'

Clr Keith Bagnall praised the plans to transform a derelict warehouse and cottage into a tourist destination at the town council meeting, last week.

He said: “This is one of the most seminal planning applications that Middlewich has seen in the last 20 years in terms of the benefits to people and the community.

“It is a major improvement on what we have there at the moment and has the potential to improve Middlewich.

“Not only in an environmental and tourism way but an economic way as well which is absolutely vital to the town.”

Developers want to turn the site into a canalside cafe, visitor centre and council premises with a heritage display and boating facilities.

The proposal, which is expected to attract 20,000 visitors a year and create a number of jobs, will now be looked at by Cheshire East Council’s planning committee in about a month.

Clr Bagnall added: “Some design aspects need to be improved and worked on but the developers have been happy to get involved to make sure we have the very best Middlewich deserves.

“I’m confident that at the end of the day we can have a fantastic facility for the people of Middlewich.”

Last year, Jonathan Williams, clerk of Middlewich Town Council, described the development as a potential ‘gateway to the town’.

But at last week’s meeting, Clr Peter Hirst said: “Access to me is a very important issue. I think there’s a danger of the site losing accessibility from the rest of the town.

“I don’t want a white elephant that looks very nice but no one uses it.”

Clr Bagnall, who is also the chairman of the town council’s planning committee, added: “I’d hate to think anybody would consider this could be a white elephant.

“It’s a fantastic development that will be integrated into the town.”

Middlewich Town Council is set to be the parent body and if it is given the green light, councillors could contribute £400,000 towards the project.