Former children’s centre sold

A children’s centre which lay derelict for years has now been sold.

Cheshire East Council’s wholly owned strategic property company, Engine of the North, has finalised a deal to sell the former Redsands Children’s Centre in Willaston, near Nantwich.

Subject to planning, Richmond Care Villages will transform the site into a specialist centre of excellence in dementia care. The new facility will create 80 jobs and operate as a satellite campus to Richmond’s existing care village in Nantwich.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for housing and planning, said: This is a welcome opportunity for a respected care organisation to provide services to some of our most vulnerable residents.”

Councillor Jamie Macrae, Chairman of Engine of the North said: “We’re pleased to have exchanged contracts to sell the former Redsands Children’s Centre, for a development that will bring the site back into economic use and create new jobs locally.”

A planning application for the new care facility has been submitted to Cheshire East Council. Under the plans, Cheshire East would retain ownership of the land to the east of the former centre, which includes a pond and football pitch. The existing public footpath which runs along the eastern boundary of the site will be maintained.