Plans for a 74-bed care home have been approved on a site in Macclesfield which previously had permission for a Lidl supermarket.

Cheshire East's strategic planning board was unanimous yesterday (Wednesday, May 29) in giving the go-ahead for the development on the site of the former Towers and Progress Mill off Parsonage Street.

The home, which will be run by Torsion Care Ltd, will provide residential care for older persons in need, as well as specialist dementia patient care.

Ward councillor Ashley Farrall (non-grouped), speaking as a visiting member, said the derelict site had attracted anti-social behaviour over the years and needed developing.

Cllr Farrall said the provision of a care home would 'help relieve pressure on the NHS and families struggling to access suitable care locally'.

But he questioned the design of the care home which, he said, 'does not convincingly reflect the mill character of the area'.

"In a site this prominent, flanked by two conservation areas and listed buildings, the design should do more than simply gesture our heritage, it should embody it," said Cllr Farrall.

The former Towers office block (Credit: Google Maps)

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Macclesfield councillor Brian Puddicombe (Lab) said the proposal better reflects the area than the 'unsightly' block which had previously been on the site.

He said the report to the committee stated there was a shortfall of nearly 400 care beds in the Macclesfield area.

"It's a fact that Macclesfield has an ageing population, so this is needed and it's good employment opportunities as well," said Cllr Puddicombe.

Knutsford councillor Stewart Gardiner (Con) proposed the application be approved.

He said he shared Cllr Farrall's concerns about the design and asked that the ward councillor's suggestion that soldier coursing be incorporated was taken up, as the applicant's agent wasn't opposed to it.

Cllr Hannah Moss (Mobberley, Con) seconded the proposal to approve and the board was unanimous in its support.