Work could start next year on building a new retirement complex on the site of Crewe's former Beechmere extra care scheme, destroyed by a fire in 2019.

Beechmere, Rolls Avenue. was the largest of five extra care housing schemes commissioned by Cheshire County Council through a PFI (private finance initiative) arrangement in 2007.

The 132-apartment complex was destroyed when fire ripped through the timber-framed building in August 2019.

Beechmere was destroyed when fire ripped through the timber-framed building in August 2019 (Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service).

Around 150 elderly and disabled residents were safely evacuated by firefighters and neighbours.

Next week Cheshire East's finance sub-committee will be asked to authorise council bosses to continue and conclude the renegotiation of the PFI contract.

If agreement can be reached between the various parties after that, it is hoped work on building a replacement Beechmere complex could start in the spring or summer of next year, with a possible opening date of late 2027 or early 2028.

Under the Cheshire PFI arrangements, Cheshire County Council commissioned Avantage to design, build, finance and operate the five extra care schemes.

A report to Monday's finance meeting states: "Originally, Avantage set up regular meetings with the former residents of Beechmere to ensure that they were kept informed of progress and could comment on designs for the new scheme.

"As time has passed, these meetings have become more sporadic, but Avantage are continuing to keep residents informed of significant developments."

It is hoped work on building a replacement Beechmere complex could start in the spring or summer of 2026 (Ryan Parker).

The report also gives an estimated timeline for the negotiations and building of the new scheme but stresses 'the timings beyond March 2025 are progressively more uncertain'.

The approximate timeline includes heads of terms to be agreed by all parties by the end of this month (March).

It is anticipated Avantage will obtain planning permission for the new building in the summer of this year, but the report says this may take three to six months.

It is hoped legal and other agreements will be completed by March 2026 enabling construction to start in the spring or summer with the hope the new building will open late 2027 or early 2028.

Three of the five extra care schemes commissioned by the county council in 2007 under the PFI agreement are in, what is now, Cheshire East.

These are Beechmere in Crewe, Willowmere in Middlewich and Oakmere in Handforth.

The other two, Hollymere in Ellesmere Port and Hazelmere in Winsford, are within the Cheshire West and Chester area.

Around 150 elderly and disabled residents were safely evacuated by firefighters and neighbours at Beechmere, with belongings destroyed (Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service).

Following local government reorganisation in 2009, Cheshire East Council manages the PFI contract on behalf of both local authorities.

The meeting of the finance sub-committee takes place on Monday 10 March at 10am at Macclesfield Town Hall.

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