Public to have say on plans

THE PUBLIC are being given the opportunity to have their say on proposals to redevelop 14 acres of land at the Federal Mogul site in Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Work has already started to transform the existing factory facilities which will be accommodated in one of the main buildings, meaning almost half of the existing site will become surplus to requirements.

Federal-Mogul has committed over £2 million so far to a programme of internal works to prepare the plant for the major changes to come in a move which will safeguard existing jobs.

Acting Plant Manager Dave Hodgkiss said: "It is fair to say this process is in its infancy in many ways. We have got to get out of that building and of course there is quite a lot of work to do."

The next step will be the submission of a planning application this summer for the Transformation Plan for the new cladding, car park, security lodge and associated changes.

Further redevelopment is proposed to include a mix of homes, industrial units, shops and leisure facilities. The plans are looking at specific areas of the site:

• Homes - land off Burrfields Road and up to Hayfield Road is seen as suitable for new homes.

• Access - Hayfield Road remains the access for Federal-Mogul with a planned second car-only access to the north near the Technical Centre. New homes will need separate access to make a safe and attractive living environment.

• Environment - Improvements to building and environmental equipment and a new landscape acoustic buffer along the centre of the site to protect new homes.

• 50% Increase in parish allotment plots - will be provided west of the plant for the community. The Parish Council will be granted a long term lease for these allotments alongside the existing, at a peppercorn rate.

• Commercial, leisure, shops - suitable for the Hayfield Road frontage for visibility and easy access.

• Workshops and light industry - could be accommodated toward the rear of the site near the plant and sharing the same access. This could provide a range of small starter business units for local businesses.

Federal-Mogul is inviting everyone with an interest in the area to go and view the proposals on display at Chapel Town Hall for the next two week and to make comments.

Once comments have been received, the proposals will be reviewed by the development team and a revised proposal will be presented to High Peak Borough Council planning officers.

Major redevelopment will only take place once the existing buildings are vacated and demolished and is expected to progress though 2011 and 2012.

The allotments should be available later this year.