Dozens of new ‘rent to buy’ flats could be built on a former car wash site in Stockport town centre. Housing association Great Places has submitted plans for 73 one and two-bedroom apartments across two adjoining blocks on disused land at King Street West.
The half-acre plot sits within the ‘Town Centre West’ regeneration zone - which local leaders hope will become the region’s ‘coolest, greenest’ urban village, eventually boasting 3,500 homes. Part-funded by Homes England, the development is intended to complement other developments proposed for the area by adding ‘high-quality’ affordable homes to the mix.
Every apartment will be available through the government-backed Rent to Buy scheme - giving residents the opportunity to save for a deposit by reducing the rent to 80pc of market rates for at least five years. Planning papers add: “The aspiration of the proposed development is to encourage new residents to establish roots in Stockport, to contribute positively to the community, have the opportunity to live a more sustainable life and contribute to the social, economic and regenerative development of the expanding Town Centre West neighbourhood.”
Documents say the apartments would offer ‘desirable accommodation’, featuring ‘contemporary open plan living spaces with ample natural daylighting’. Each home would have ‘high quality amenity space in the form of private balconies’, while there would also be shared roof terraces.
The location - bounded by Gradwell Street and Bann Street- is described as ‘highly sustainable’ due to being just a short walk away from the town’s bus and railway stations. The plans feature a 16-space car park - accessed via Bann Street - including seven disabled bays and three electric vehicle charging points.
The proposals also include ‘100pc secure cycle storage provision’.
Helen Spencer, executive director of growth at Great Places, said the housing association was ‘delighted’ to have submitted proposals to complement the ongoing regenerationTown Centre West - also known as the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC). "In line with the Mayoral Corporation’s [Town Centre West] aspirations to develop the western gateway into a residential location of choice, our plans consider how these homes will contribute to the long-term development of a resilient and vibrant community,” she said.
“A community that will benefit from all the attractions in the town centre whilst adding to the wider sustainability of the town centre.We are pleased to offer these new homes through rent to buy, in order to make them accessible to future buyers, providing people with the all-important chance to purchase a property in what will become an increasingly popular area.”
Subject to planning permission, work will start on the new site early next year.
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