Halliwell Jones has applied for planning permission to develop a new BMW and Mini dealership in Wilmslow – bringing together two existing franchised sites.

The new Cheshire facility, which is planned for a 2.43 hectare site adjacent to Wilmslow's Handforth Dean retail park on Coppice Way, replaces an existing BMW dealership on the junction of Manchester Road and Dean Row Road and a Mini showroom in Summerfield village centre.

It will also bring body shop operations into one site, relocating the current facility existing bodyshop located on the nearby Brooke Park employment area, off Lower Meadow Road.

A planning application, which is expected to be decided upon by planning officials at Cheshire East Council in early April, detailed that the existing sites were “no longer fit for purpose” for the growing business.

Plans drawn up by MDG Architects show a facility which will comprise of two buildings, the primary housing a BMW showroom and Mini showroom connected by a shared atrium, a body shop, workshop and an after sales facility.

The second building will provide a used car sales facility, with its own customer parking and road access.

A total of 483 car parking spaces will provide space for the external display of cars along with parking for customers, demonstrator vehicles and service parking.

The application said that the proposed development would secure the jobs of Halliwell Jones’ 133 employees at its existing BMW and Mini franchises in the area as well as creating around 36 new permanent jobs.

In the year to December 31, 2016 (latest financial results) BMW and Mini retailer Halliwell Jones generated a turnover of £66.4m, up 4.7% on the previous year’s £63.4m.

Gross profit for the period was £4.9m, up 5.5% on the previous year’s £4.7m.

The franchised dealer group currently operates five BMW and five Mini franchises along with a premium used car facility.