THE former Bargain Booze building in Crewe could be bulldozed to make way for a new warehouse and offices.

AEW UK Core Property Fund has applied for permission to demolish both units at 1 Weston Road, which, many years ago, was home to the Cooperative Tea Factory.

One unit is currently occupied by Bestway, formerly Bargain Booze, and the other was occupied by Brightstar, but the applicant says the latter lease has now expired.

A design and access statement submitted on behalf of the applicant states: "The collection of buildings are of low quality and little architectural merit.

"Due to the number of additions and extensions throughout the site, there are no retained or distinguished features associated with its former use as a tea factory."

The application is due to be considered next Wednesday (February 2) by Cheshire East's strategic planning board.

In a report due to go before the meeting, the council's planning officer states: "The application site is situated within an existing employment area within the Crewe Settlement Boundary where retention of employment uses are considered to be acceptable in principle.

"The proposal would visually improve the appearance of the site within a prominent location in Crewe and represents positive investment in an employment use on the site. The design is considered to be acceptable for the proposed use in this location."

The officer adds: "The loss of some semi-mature trees and landscaping within the site are negatives of the scheme but can be mitigated in part by a suitable landscape scheme. None of the protected mature trees off site are to be affected by the development."

The proposal is to demolish the existing buildings on the site and replace them with a 30,152 sqm warehouse, with associated offices on the first and second floor.

The scheme includes the replacement of the existing gate house with a new one.

Planning officers have recommended councillors approve the application.

The meeting takes place at 10am at Macclesfield Town Hall on February 2.