Developer in vow to build the ‘best flats’

ADEVELOPER has promised proposals for a new block of flats would deliver the ‘best apartments’ in the Heatons area of Stockport.

The Agha Group has submitted plans to demolish a large bungalow at the end of Howard Avenue and replace it with a threestorey building housing 24 ‘luxury’ apartments.

The majority of the new homes would have two bedrooms, although six would be larger three-bed apartments.

However, only two are proposed to be ‘affordable’ – lower than council requirements – with the developer citing financial ‘viability’.

The proposals include 24 parking spaces – one per apartment – and private communal gardens, which planning documents say would ‘make great use of the existing underused site’.

There would be secure cycle parking and bin store.

Planning papers say the site ‘presents a unique opportunity and a great setting’ and the proposed designs ‘strive to achieve the highest quality’.

“The aim is to create the best apartments in the area that will appeal to many people, this development will provide much-needed opportunities for people to own their own home,” it reads.

The Agha group says its development arm was created in recognition of the ‘need to provide higher quality living environments’ than those that are generally on offer.

“The schemes provided by Agha aim to increase lifestyle choices available to existing residents, meeting a need for stable, secure and well-planned accommodation,” a document in support of the application adds.

The existing bungalow sits in an established residential area, with shops and amenities nearby.

It is described in papers as being of ‘minimal architectural value’ and in need of ‘a large amount of modernisation to bring it back into use’.

The proposed red and brown brick building is said to have been ‘designed with great care and attention to detail’.

Documents add: “The use of materials has had careful consideration to allow a marrying of modern and traditional building techniques. The outcome, we feel, is a building that has the ability to inspire others to strive for a higher standard of design.”

The building would be covered by CCTV, with system accessible from apps on occupants phones or computers.

Apartments would have a video intercom for letting guests in.

The building has been designed to ensure it is inclusive for all. The car park is level with the ground floor and a lift will be installed inside.

A decision on whether to grant planning permission will be made by Stockport council.