Another 144 new homes are planned for Stockport town centre - and they are all ‘affordable’. Housing association Great Places has submitted plans for 144 apartments split across two new buildings at the corner of King Street West and Chestergate. Properties include a mix of one and two-bedroom flats and duplexes.
The first of the ‘mirrored’ blocks would boast 96 flats available for ‘affordable rent’. Facing on to Chestergate, the L-shaped building is predominantly seven-storey but drops down to six and five levels along its eastern side. The second offers 48 properties under the government-backed ‘right to buy’ scheme - allowing people to rent at 20pc discount, while saving for a deposit to purchase their home.
Another split-level building, its seven-storey elevation fronts on to King Street West, while a five storey element faces towards Chestergate. The site sits within the Town Centre West regeneration zone - Stockport's burgeoning 3,500 home ‘urban village’ - close where Great Places is to build 73 apartments on an old car wash site.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
Planning papers describe the plot as being of ‘poor quality’, featuring a mix of ‘vacant, tired and derelict’ buildings, as well as an area of open land mainly used for the open storage of motor vehicles. Development would also require the demolition of the long-vacant Mentor House - part of the former Chestergate Hat Company offices - a former newsagents and the former Kidsaurus play centre.
However, it’s argued the £28.7m scheme would bring ‘significant benefits’ to the town centre, contributing to ‘positive urban regeneration’ and delivering ‘high quality new homes on brownfield land’ in a central location.
“The proposal will support the vitality and viability of Stockport town centre and promote economic growth through residential living that supports new and existing businesses within the town centre, as well as new commercial uses planned at the adjacent Weir Mill site,” a planning statement adds.
“The delivery of significant residential development adjacent to the town centre will help it to evolve, grow, diversify and thrive in order to meet the amenity, service and employment needs of the local residential population.
“The proposal will provide opportunities for new residents to easily access services, facilities and employment opportunities within the town centre.”
Papers stress that the proposed site is within easy walking distance of the emerging new transport interchange, the railway station and cycle routes which connect it to the wider Greater Manchester area.
The proposed design is said to be of ‘high quality’, with a landscaped courtyard separating the two blocks and ‘directly contributing a greenspace on to Chestergate’. A larger, communal landscaped area leading to the River Mersey would also be provided for residents.
Papers note that boosting town centres remains a ‘local and national imperative’ - arguing the scheme would ‘likely result in increased investment and employment creation'. “The proposal therefore presents the opportunity to support sustainable economic growth within the centre,” it adds.
The applicant also claims the scheme would ‘enhance the social fabric of Stockport and result in public benefits by delivering high quality designed development’. It adds that the new homes would ‘support the vitality and viability of Stockport town centre at precisely the time that initiatives to support centres should be promoted’.
A car park at the back of the development provides 13 disabled bays, each provided with an electric vehicle charging point. No other parking is provided but Great Places says its transport assessment finds that the site would offer ‘a suitable location for residents to live without owning a car’.
“In the unlikely event that a resident owns a car does live at the site then they will be able to organise contract parking at one of the public car parks serving the town centre, such as Merseyway or Heaton Lane, which lie within a 10-minute walk of the site.”
Moreover 142 secure, long-term spaces for bicycle parking are provided within the development to support residents’ cycle usage. Combined foot and cycle paths run along Chestergate, connecting it with the town’s wider network.
Papers also stress the ‘sustainable’ nature of the site, being in close proximity to the new transport interchange and the town's railway station.
Stockport council will decide whether to grant planning permission.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- “My daughters are frightened”: Terrified mum exposes plague of 'cat-sized' rats causing chaos in neighbourhood
- Gay Village adult store Clonezone attacked for FOURTH time in two months as CCTV captures thugs on red motorbike
- Man and woman arrested on suspicion of attempted murder as victim left fighting for life after intruder attack
- Killing of schoolgirl Emily Jones at hands of paranoid schizophrenic 'could not have been predicted'
- Emergency services swarm street as two people cut from Audi that was flipped over onto roof in crash
