Exclusive by Chrissy Symmons
Plans to build more than 300 homes on Ellesmere’s landmark Wharf development will be delayed by two years – with developers blaming the move on the credit crunch.
Bosses at Pochin Developments, which owns the Wharf site, have revealed the timetable for the new homes to be built on the old dairy site has been put back. But they remain confident the homes will be built.
Brian Reay, development director for Pochin Developments, is blaming the current economic climate for the decision. He told the Chronicle the company would wait for a national upturn in fortunes before starting to build the homes.
A variety of homes from one-bedroom private rented flats to four-bedroom detached houses are due to be built on the site, which has been advertised as a ‘residential-led’ scheme.
The site will also be home to a new Tesco supermarket, cafes, a pub/restaurant and car parking facilities. The first stage of the project to create the roads and infrastructure is near completion. The second phase of house building is now set to be undertaken after Tesco, a pub/restaurant and the new doctors surgery have been built, although no timescales have been put in place.
Mr Reay said: “We have to be realistic with the general housing market, but I am totally confident that it will go ahead.
“It will take two years longer to achieve than what we hoped for.”
He also added they were doing all they can to bring forward the medical centre.
Ellesmere town council members were unable to comment as the Chronicle went to press.
