Work to begin on homes at former mill site
BUILDING work is set to get underway on a 144-home development at a historic mill site.
Viaduct Housing Partnership, set up by Stockport council to deliver affordable housing, will build the homes at the exBattersby Hat Factory site on Hempshaw Lane in Offerton.
The development will include the refurbishment of the existing mill buildings and provide a mixture of one and two-bed apartments and two, three and four-bed houses for affordable rent, shared ownership and sale.
The scheme will be developed in partnership with the Lane End Group, and Viaduct Housing Partnership say it reaffirms the council’s commitment to a ‘brownfield first’ approach.
Board chairman Ken Lee said: “We are delighted to be building an additional 144, high quality and affordable new homes within the local community and to be delivering affordable housing in Stockport, which is in great demand.”
The planning application raised community concerns, including pressure on local schools and infrastructure, as well as an increase in traffic. However, it was granted planning permission last December.
Coun Sheila Bailey, Stockport council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Affordable homes are essential in Stockport if we are to give opportunities to all residents within our communities.”
Richard Harrison, managing director of the Lane End Group, said: “The work we will be carrying out is part of the £1bn regeneration plan for Stockport and for our business to be transforming an historic building in the Battersby Hat Factory really is a statement project in our expanding portfolio of developments.
“The factory is the last remaining example of Stockport’s hat-making tradition and we’re delighted to be restoring that with a blend of new housing which will bring the old building back to life.
“The development we will create is a fantastic example of new housing alongside an iconic building in an area that is rich in industrial heritage. Having already delivered two previous developments with Viaduct we’re excited about this next project.”