A REBUILD worth £13 million at a Crewe industrial estate could see the creation of 150 jobs.

Owners of the site on Weston Road, AEW UK Core Property Fund, have applied to Cheshire East Council for permission to partially demolish and then redevelop existing buildings as part of a modernisation programme.

At the moment the buildings are occupied by technology firm Brightstar and Bargain Booze, who are now owned by Bestway, but the owners want the upgrade so they can market part of the site site to a prospective new tenant.

Two alternative plans have been submitted to the council and Alexandra Walsh, for planning agents Avison Young, said: "It provides the applicant with the flexibility to find a new occupier in these changing economic times."

Planning documents show that while there would be a net loss of 4,514 sq.metres of floorspace the new layout would "visually improve the appearance of the site within a prominent location in Crewe".

"It would be a £13m investment in the local area resulting in 150 jobs required in the course of construction with a significant benefit to the local economy," said the planning agent.

One of two existing factory units on the site would be demolished as well as ancillary officers, a canopy and a gatehouse. Part of the other warehouse would be retained and an extension of 10,306 sq.metres built on along with a three-story office block on one corner and a new gatehouse.

Councillors on Cheshire East Council's strategic planning board voted to give both sets of proposals the go-ahead on the proviso that a landscaping scheme compensated for the loss of some trees on the site.

Cllr Peter Groves said: "It's a big investment in Crewe and it's creating 150 jobs and that is good news for Crewe."

Wistaston Cllr Jacqui Wetherall pointed out: "Many of the buildings on Weston Road have been there for the past 50 years and design has changed during that time.

"They are looking very tired and it is good to see that some of the companies are bringing some of their buildings into the 21st century and I applaud the developer for bringing them into modern day standards."