Cheshire Independent Issue 185

MACCLESFIELD • TYTHERINGTON • BOLLINGTON ALDERLEY EDGE • PRESTBURY • WILMSLOW • HANDFORTH • POYNTON • BRAMHALL • DISLEY • ALSAGER • BIDDULPH • CONGLETON • SANDBACH ISSUE 185 FREE CHESHIRE FREE YOUR LOCAL GOOD NEWS-PAPER FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @CheshireIndy www.independentnewspapers.co.uk Looking for Flooring Inspiration? Let us help you find the perfect flooring for your home. With great advice, home styling, measure and planning service, plus quality fitting of top brands and designs, youwill be glad you did . Visit our showroom: Tuesday to Saturday or call 01260 224445 for a private appointment Thornycroft Farm, Pexhill Road, Siddington, Cheshire SK11 9JN ● Modern, Traditional & Luxury Carpets ● Natural Wood Flooring ● Laminate Flooring ● Stair Runners & Rods ● Luxury Vinyl Tiles ● Bespoke Rugs & Runners PEOPLE in Macclesfield have been asked for their views on town council plans to borrow £1.25million to fund a newSouth Park pavilion. The plans would see a 24.5 per cent hike in the 2024 town council precept – adding £12.50 to the Council Tax bill for a band D property. The council is looking for a 40-year Public Works Loan to fund the devel- opment. The annual loan repayments will come to around £101,700 – fall- ing by £411.27 every six months. It says that under the funding plan £5.21 of the proposed precept rise will go towards the repayments. The development has planning permission and the project team is looking to start work on the site in the summer. The intention, once the pavilion is up and running, is that the repay- ments will be paid through contri- butions from the income it generates. Council reserves of £548,472 will also be used to fund the building work. Councillors need the approval of Michael Gove, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, to apply for the loan. People had until February 23 to give their views on the loan pro- posals in a public consultation and the feedback from that exercise is now awaited. Town councillor and deputy mayor Sandy Livingstone, who chairs the South Park Pavilion working group, said: “South Park is one of the great assets of Macclesfield. “It is clear from the extensive consultation, and the mandate local town councillors were elected on last year that our residents want us to build a new pavilion in the park. “A pavilion that will, like the pub- lic toilets in our indoor market, will continue the town council’s much needed investment in our town, and provide a gathering place for a coffee and a chat, as events space for local bands, arts and culture, life events and celebrations, and much needed accessible toilets.” He added: “Economic conditions and continued rising costs have caused large increases in construc- tion expenses. THE MILLION POUND QUESTION Public views on South Park Pavilion funding awaited Pavilion plan: A CGI of the planned new South Park Pavilion (Photo credit: Macclesfield Town Council) “Despite this we have taken our time to ensure we can still deliver the building and successfully operate it. The public work loan will allow us to build the new pavilion for our residents and for the new visitors who will come and return.” The council says the pavilion needs to be replaced because there is a lack of accessibility to the first floor, limited toilet facilities and it is in a poor state of repair. Cllr Livingstone said: “Our profes- sional team, led by local architects Bower and Mattin, have designed an exciting high quality energy saving building that we still be in use at the end of century. “The two-storey design reflects the choices of our residents in the consultation of August 2022, where there was a choice of five designs.” South Park is the largest park in Macclesfield. It celebrated its cen- tenary in 2022 after it was gifted to the people of the town by local alderman William Frost. In a statement announcing the consultation, the council said: “The park is a true asset for our town, and one that we have an opportunity to improve for our residents, our com- munity and to attract visitors from near and far. “Local residents have campaigned for a pavilion building in South Park for the past 20 years.” The plan is to build a two-storey, environmen- tally sensitive pavilion designed to provide a wide range of flexible spaces suitable for family gather- ings, fitness, dance and regular cultural events. The ground floor will consist of a large café area with ‘chill out’ spaces housing local art exhibits and mag- azines. It will lead to a canopied outdoor terrace with seating over- looking the bandstand. There will also be two large mul- ti-purpose rooms which can provide a space for people to gather. The first floor will overlook the park and tennis courts. AN early intervention programme looking to challenge and change young people’s attitudes to gang culture and knife crime is proving to be a success in Cheshire. Almost 30 schools have taken part so far. ● Full story page four Challenging gang culture

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