Tower would create ‘Benidorm skyline’
PLANS to build a 22-storey block of flats have been scaled back amid concerns it would create a ‘Benidorm’ skyline.
Developer Urbanize Homes had previously submitted plans for a £66m tower on the Piccadilly car park site once occupied by Greenhale House.
Designed to stand taller than both Pendlebury Towers and Hanover Towers, the original scheme would have created Stockport’s tallest building.
However, blueprints to provide a 14-storey apartment block have now been tabled, which should make the scheme more deliverable after previous approved applications failed to reach the construction stage.
Speaking during an area committee meeting, Coun Andy Sorton said developers need to step up and start building. “We’ve done our bit, now developers need to do theirs,” he argued.
“Residents have invested a lot in the town centre – and for their sake we need to see developments coming forward.”
Coun Sorton added: “Regarding this application, a 14-storey building is better than a 22-storey because I don’t want Stockport to have a Benidorm skyline.
“However, there are four 15-storey tower blocks nearby, but that isn’t to say all of the town centre is suitable for high rise buildings.
“There are parts of this town where our heritage is paramount – and we have to make sure we protect it.”
Despite committee members agreeing with the plans, they remained ‘sceptical’ of the new proposals and fear it is another ‘unrealistic’ application.
The former six-storey 1970s office block was demolished for structural reasons in the early 2000s and has since been largely used as a car park.
Since 2007, a total of 10 redevelopment plans have been brought forward and approved by the council’s planning committee, but not one proposal has ever made it to fruition.
Plans for high-rise apartment blocks, hotel and restaurant redevelopment and prospective leisure centre have all been granted by Stockport council over the last 11 years.
In 2008, plans were approved for a mixed used development comprising of 155 residential units.
A year later, an outline application for a hotel, conference facility, restaurant, associated office plus 48 serviced apartments was also granted but never built.
More recently, Urbanize lodged an outline application for a 20-storey tower block with 155 apartments.
Councillor for Edgeley and Cheadle Heath, Philip Harding said: “The site has been like this for over a decade and despite a series of applications, not one has been implemented.
“Having been around during this period of time and seen the list of various applications, I am sceptical it is ever going to get anywhere.”
Others shared Coun Harding’s concerns about the lack of progress being made to Stockport town centre housing.
However, the new plans submitted by the Altrincham-based developers are still set to create 164 town centre apartments – nine of which are to be affordable.
Working with Manchester architect Spazio, the design is expected to create a number of luxury duplex apartments on the upper floors, with the affordable units below.
The 14-storey block will also include 49 car parking spaces, three electric charging spaces and a cafe or commercial unit on its ground floor.
Combined with Stockport council’s forthcoming Town Centre Living Framework, which proposes 3,000 homes, the latest development could contribute to making Stockport the next prime living spot.
The Town Centre Living Framework focuses on 40 acres of development in six residential sites to the west of the town centre, forming a corridor along the river Mersey and close to the railway station.
The largest site is around the railway station, which could support up to 790 homes, while the existing Stagecoach depot and offices along King Street West could have the capacity for 700 new homes. Developers say they hope to begin work on the former Greenhale site by next year if the plans get the go ahead.
The final decision to grant planning permission will be made by the council’s Planning and Highways Regulation Committee.