CREWE is in line for a welcome jobs boost with plans for a new BMW dealership on University Way.

The site earmarked for the showroom, workshop and car park is vacant, having been last used as a temporary contractor’s compound.

Planning permission is being sought for the development, which if approved would see the current BMW business at Fourth Avenue in Crewe move to University Way.

BMW employs 52 people at Fourth Avenue, and the total proposed for the dealership at University Way, the A5050, is 91, an increase of 39.

The sales team would increase from seven to 14, the number of workshop technicians would rise from 12 to 17, and the valeting team would double from three to six.

The site earmarked for the new dealership covers 2.3 acres situated to the west of University Way, which is regarded as a key gateway into the town centre from the south east of Crewe.

The site is bounded to the north west by an area of dense vegetation – Quakers Coppice, and a vacant plot to the north east.

University Way forms the eastern boundary to the site, with an area of dense forest land beyond. To the south is a shared access road serving the adjacent Bristol Street Motors Ford dealership.

Blue Bell BMW is seeking planning approval from Cheshire East Council for the scheme, which features a 233-space car park, including two disabled spaces, and 10 cycle spaces.

The building has been designed with a semi-transparent frontage, using full height glazing to enable customers to have an optimum view inside the showroom.

The deadline for comments on the application is June 16, and the target date for a decision on the scheme is July 7. A decision on the application is due to be taken under delegated authority.