Temporary plans submitted for town centre site

Land previously earmarked for restaurants and a cinema could instead be turned into a temporary playground and green space under new plans.

The second phase of the Royal Arcade site in Crewe was shelved in 2023 after the northern leg of HS2 was scrapped.

The first phase included a new bus station and car park, which opened last year.

Cheshire East Council said it was important to see visual improvements on the site and the work would be funded by a government grant.

Work is set to start this month, ahead of a decision regarding planning permission for the rest of the proposed scheme.

The Royal Arcade site was initially bought by the council in 2015 which entered into an agreement with a developer for a two-phase scheme in 2020.

But the council announced in 2023 it was scaling back the second phase due to rising costs and the news that HS2 would not reach Crewe, which affected market confidence.

Under the newly-submitted plans, part of the site will feature green space, picnic tables and a playground while the long-term future of the area is considered.

Michael Gorman, chairman of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee, said: "It is important that we start to see visual improvements to the Royal Arcade site and these plans, if accepted, will certainly do that.

"These 'meanwhile uses' are funded entirely from a government grant. They will ensure that the space can be used over the next few years, prior to further plans being agreed for the longer-term usage of Royal Arcade, which we are continuing to actively pursue."

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