Developers given more time for Ellesmere project

Developers have been given more time to complete a multi-million pound development in Ellesmere which was delayed because of the recession.

Pochin Developments has been granted approval under delegated powers from Shropshire Council to extend planning permission for the project.

It means the developers now have an extra five years to complete it.

Plans for a supermarket, 300 new homes, a medical centre, retirement apartments, pub, cafe, and restaurant were granted planning permission by the unitary authority more than four years ago.

But only a Tesco store and the public square have so far materialised on the land alongside the wharf and the former dairy site in the town.

With planning permission due to expire this year, there were fears that the project could be under threat.

The unitary council has already approved plans from applicants McCarthy and Stone Retirement Lifestyles Ltd to build 47 retirement apartments and Bloor Homes to build properties on the 31-acre site.

Bob Nicholson, a spokesman for Pochin Developments, said: "We are currently onsite doing infrastructure work.

"Following that I anticipate Bloor Homes will start work on their housing in the spring/summer time.

"I expect McCarthy and Stone will aim to start work on their retirement housing this summer.

"In regards to the pub and restaurant we are currently speaking to a couple of parties.

"We are very positive about the development. It is a great location and we are confident everything will be complete. It just takes time."

In a report on behalf of Shropshire Council, it said: "The development promotes a range of housing, retail, commercial and tourism uses, commensurate in scale with the objective of supporting the vitality and vibrancy of Ellesmere town centre and the preservation and enhancement of the high quality canal side environment."

The saga over how the former dairy land at the wharf should be used has rumbled on for well over a decade. Originally a development company had plans for a huge craft and shopping centre on the site, but they never materialised.