Plans revealed for urban village
STRIKING new images - including one of a towering 16-storey apartment block - reveal how part of Stockport town centre could be completely transformed.
Dubbed ‘Royal George Village’ the three-acre site on Wellington Road South and Greek Street would boast up to 450 new flats, shared offices, green space and commercial units.
Based opposite Stockport Homes new offices and near the town hall, the proposed ‘intergenerational residential village’ would form part of the regeneration of Stockport Town Centre West, also known as the Mayoral Development Corporation.
The project will also involve the clearance of ‘unsightly 1960s and 1970s buildings and structures’ to allow for an ‘exciting and attractive new development fit for future generations’.
Under the scheme, the existing Lyme Building would be demolished to make way for the 16-storey block boasting 250 apartments fronting on to the A6.
Developer Investar Property Group also plans to convert the Torkington Building into a further 120 flats intended as ‘high quality affordable homes’, while the listed Greek Street centre would be turned into a ‘co-working space’ for local businesses.
And a new-build ‘gateway’ block on the corner of Greek Street and Royal George Street could also provide a further 55 apartments.
Michael Dong, chief executive officer at Investar, said: “Our vision for Royal George Village is to change the way we think about creating new places to live in the UK. This development will provide a platform for housing, health and business collaboration, to add social value and to forge a real sense of community in a key Stockport location.”
Mr Dong also welcomed plans by the council and transport chiefs to bid for up to £1bn in government money to bring the Metrolink to Stockport town centre.
“Stockport continues to thrive, and its excellent transport links to Manchester are set to be greatly improved,” he added.
The plans also include converting the former Metropolitan Girls’ School into co-working offices, while the hexagonal building will be demolished to create ‘high quality new public realm and civic space’.
This is also intended to enhance the setting of the school and the listed War Memorial Art Gallery.
The area will also be opened up so people are able to walk through it, rather than being blocked off by buildings.
Four buildings will be demolished to make way for an underground car park, public space and new communal areas.
Unsightly 1960s and 1970s buildings and structures will be demolished to make way for an exciting and attractive new development fit for future generations.
The Royal George Village would form part of the Royal George Quarter - one of the six distinct neighbourhoods that make up the 300-home Stockport Town Centre West ‘urban village’.
The official council masterplan - the ‘strategic regeneration framework describes the vision for the quarter as ‘lower density mixed use area infused with historic character, harnessing the character of the existing buildings - including a mix of residential, offices and Stockport College to create a mix of new quality homes’.
And college bosses have welcomed the plans, which they say will ‘complement’ the £23m redevelopment of the campus, set for completion next year.
Michelle Leslie, vice principal for corporate services and planning at The Trafford College Group said: “The redeveloped Stockport College will provide a learning environment that uses the latest developments in digital technology and education.
“Together the two developments will create a new community for Stockport on a site that is at the heart of the town and we look forward to working with Investar to help finalise their vision.”
A planning application is expected to be submitted later this month, with Investar hoping to get the green light before the end of September.
Work on the site is pencilled in for early next year.
Residents can have their say by visiting by visiting the royalgeorgevillage.co.uk/ by April 17.
No public drop-in consultations are being held due to government guidance relating to the coronavirus.