Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) and the English Cities Fund (ECF) – a joint venture between Homes England, Muse and Legal & General have launched the first community conversation on the£250million plans to create an exciting mixed residentialneighbourhood to the west of Stockport town centre, currently known as Stockport 8.
Located on land either side of King Street West and next to the railway viaduct, the plans will reconnect the site to nearby neighbourhoods and the town centre, bringing life back to what was once a thriving residential neighbourhood under the railway arches.
The draft masterplan and concept sketches show the joint venture’s early thoughts for the next chapter in the story of Stockport’s revival. They outline a high quality, walkable, green neighbourhood, combining all of the best attributes of the existing place with innovative placemaking ideas to deliver a vibrant new part of town for the people of Stockport.
It is envisaged the masterplan will include a mix of tenures including affordable homes, Build to Rent (BtR) and open market sale, which provide a number of investment opportunities.
The masterplan features up to 1,200 high-quality, energy efficient homes for the people of Stockport that will bring existing and new communities together.
There will be spaces for local businesses, start-ups and community facilities which complement the existing town centre offering and outdoor and green spaces to promote health and wellbeing.
There will be a connected, walkable neighbourhood that is integrated into the wider town centre and surrounding communities and Improvements to the environment with a low car neighbourhood and energy efficient buildings.
The scheme also aims a celebration of local heritage by opening up and creating inclusive public spaces around the iconic Stockport viaduct that can host a range of events, including markets, food festivals and live events.
Joe Stockton, senior development manager at Muse (part of the English Cities Fund), said: “This is one of the largest town centre regeneration projects in the UKand it’s only right that the local community is at the heart of what we do. We’re excited to find out what localpeople and businesses want to see in the area to help us shape the plans and ensure there is something for everyone. We want to design a thriving, inclusive neighbourhood that will deliver the needs of the community now, and for generations to come, and that has Stockport’s independent spirit and character at its core.”
As part of the first community conversation on the emerging vision and draft masterplan, there are plenty of ways for people to take part and provide feedback, including:
• Attending a drop-in session on Thursday 1stFebruary 2024, 3pm – 7pm at Edgeley Park, Hardcastle Rd, SK3 9DD or on Saturday 3rdFebruary 2024, 10:00am – 3:00pm at MerseywayShopping Centre, 54 Great Underbank, SK1 1PD (outside Specsavers), where the project team will be on hand to discuss the scheme.
• Sign up for an online Q&A at www.Stockport8.co.ukon Tuesday 6th February 2024, 6:30pm – 7:30pm where you can learn more about the plans and ask the project team questions.
• Fill in a freepost questionnaire in the newsletter being delivered locally in February.
• Call 0800 689 1095 (Mon –Fri, 9:00am–5:30pm)
• Write to ‘Freepost HAVE YOUR SAY’ (no further address or stamp needed)
