A derelict pub that has become ‘an eyesore’ will be turned into 14 luxury apartments.
The former Ups ‘n’ Downs establishment in Stockport has been left to wrack and ruin over the last few years and has been crying out for redevelopment, Stockport Council’s Planning Committee has decided. The proposal put forward by Uruk Properties Ltd is to demolish part of the building and replace it with a 5-storey extension but keep the section fronts onto Wellington Bridge.
Within 14 new 'luxury' one and two-bed apartments would be created.
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The Wellington Road South site has been subject to previous applications that never came to fruition. Committee members at Stockport Town Hall were hopeful that this decision means that the old pub could finally see a proper makeover.
Coun Rachel Wise said: “I walked past the bus station which looks all shiny and new and this poor building is in a real state. This is the fourth application that has come in six or seven years and it would be really nice to see something be made of the building.
“It does look like it will fall down if someone doesn’t do something. What reassurance do we have that this application will actually get done this time?”
The council chamber heard how the developer is keen to start work as soon as possible. There were some reservations about how the proposals looked as well as the lack of parking.
The fact the building is in the town centre means the development could be greenlit without parking facilities. However, the planning officer admitted it would not be suitable for someone who was in need of a vehicle.
Coun Wendy Meikle weighed in: “I echo Coun Wise’s comments. It is an absolute eyesore and it has been like that for a long time.
“It definitely needs something to do with it. I am really disappointed there isn’t more imagination used on this. There is a flat roof at the back, why could that have not been made into a roof garden?”
The planning officer interjected to point out that concerns over drainage were the reason a roof garden was not added by developers.
“I do think they are cramming in as much as they can into this building,” Coun Meikle continued. “Far too many apartments, I would like to have seen the apartments a bit bigger. They don’t look very luxurious to me.”
Despite these concerns, the development was approved by the committee on July 6 unanimously.
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