McCARTHY Stone has ditched plans to build affordable retirement apartments on the site of the former Crosville Club in Crewe after failing to agree a design scheme with the council.

The company had planned to build 51 apartments for the over 60s on the Chester Street site.

But last month it withdrew the planning application it had submitted to Cheshire East Council.

Today McCarthy Stone confirmed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service it would not be continuing with the development and would be looking for alternative sites.

A spokesperson said: “McCarthy Stone had proposed to bring forward a 100 per cent affordable development for older people on Chester Street, and all of the 51 retirement apartments would have been offered for affordable shared ownership.

“Unfortunately, we have not been able to make progress with the design of the scheme with the local council and as a result we have had to withdraw from the site.

“While we are disappointed not to bring this scheme forward, we remain fully committed to delivering affordable housing and support options for older people in Crewe and across the north west to meet the needs of its rapidly ageing population, and will now look for alternative sites.”

The future of the site, which was most recently used by the Crozzy to host live entertainment and functions,  is now uncertain.

The former club is now boarded up after being targeted in recent months by vandals.