Student supermarket is latest MMU plan (From Warrington Guardian)

Student supermarket is latest MMU plan

THE next stage of a £20million redevelopment plan to transform Crewe into a bustling university town, is set to be finalised next week.

Planning chiefs at Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council are expected to give Manchester Metropolitan University Cheshire the green light to continue developing its campus at Tuesday's meeting.

The Crewe-based university's latest proposal includes a three-storey office block, and a supermarket for students and office workers, and a takeaway shop under the one roof.

Constructed in brick with a tiled roof, the building will be built close to the roundabout adjacent to the university's new halls of residence and public house.

The L-shaped office building will be constructed in brick and block work with broken curtain glazing and a glazed porch entrance.

The site is also to be landscaped, providing parking spaces for some 90 cars.

Dean of MMU Cheshire, Dennis Dunn said: "With 500 staff and nearly 6,000 students, we have a huge presence in Cheshire.

"MMU is investing heavily at Crewe Green and the vice-chancellor and the governors have the vision to create an even more successful academic and student environment here.

"Crewe is a town on the move and MMU Cheshire is determined to play a big part in its future prosperity. I see Crewe as the university town in Cheshire."

MMU is on course to open its new 800-room hall of residence on the Crewe Green link road - christened University Way - in time for the next intake in September.

The accommodation will include eight four-storey, cruciform blocks enclosing landscaped courtyards, half of which will front onto University Way and the rest at the rear.

A final decision will be taken by the Full council at its next meeting.