Big Bentley Motors development plans in Crewe recommended for approval
By Belinda Ryan - Local Democracy Reporter
24th Oct 2023 | Local News
Bentley Motors' plans to build a new paint shop at its Crewe campus and two link bridges over Sunnybank Road, have been recommended for approval.
The proposal, which will be considered by Cheshire East's strategic planning board on Wednesday 25 October, includes building on the car park to the west of the existing paint shop to provide a new 22.5m high paint shop building and attached offices.
The building would be linked to the existing paint shop at the plant by two link bridges across Sunnybank Road.
A report from Cheshire East's planning officer due to go to the meeting, reads: "This proposal would bring economic benefits and investment in an area with a longstanding association with the manufacture of motor vehicles."
It adds: "Although a small segment of designated public open space would be lost to the south of the site, this has to be balanced against the economic benefits of the proposals and the aspirations of the council to realise the growth potential of Crewe.
"And to allow for the growth of employment on this strategic employment site as defined in the development plan by encouraging investment in the area.
"The proposal prefigures the production of new electric vehicle products in the next few years within the Volkswagen/Bentley group.
"it would allow for the Cheshire manufacturing site to prepare a business case to the VW board in Germany in respect of this to bring manufacturing to Cheshire East."
The development would mean the loss of 858 parking spaces, with no additional parking proposed.
Bentley's Crewe campus has more than 3,400 parking spaces.
The council's planning officer says a survey carried out by Bentley over three working days revealed there would still be approximately 200 vacant spaces at the busiest time, even after the proposed building had been constructed.
The report continues: "These would cater for this current proposed development but in addition as mitigation for the loss of parking a contribution of land from the applicant [land Bentley owns which runs alongside the A530] to Cheshire East is required.
"This would help deliver the cycle scheme and encourage modes of travel to the site other than the car.
"Subject to the transfer of land, from the information provided there will be sufficient parking within the Bentley site and the proposal will not result in parking over spilling onto the public highway.
There have been no objections to the scheme, but Crewe Town Council has requested traffic accessing via Sunnybank Road is re-routed to reduce the impact on residential neighbours from employee and delivery traffic.
In a separate application, to be considered at the same meeting, Bentley has also applied for permission to demolish an existing temporary industrial warehouse.
Bentley plans to build an integrated logistics centre including a covered logistics route, internal amenity and office annex.
"It is therefore acceptable with the appropriate conditions."
The proposed building would have a footprint of approximately 155m x 87m and so would be larger than the existing building. It would be constructed to a maximum height of approximately 13m.
No-one has objected to this second application which is also recommended for approval.
READ MORE: Major UK retailer confirms it will be opening new store in Crewe.
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