Plan for flats near historic church
DOZENS of new flats could be built near an historic town centre church.
Proposals for a new five-storey block close to Grade I listed St Mary’s Church, in Stockport, have been lodged with the council.
Under plans tabled by Mirabello Investments Ltd, a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments would be built on land at Millgate, including the demolition of a former dry cleaners.
The scheme would also involve reinstating ‘The Folley’ - an historic route between Millgate and St Mary’s - which dates back to at least the late 17th century.
A church has stood at the site since mediaeval times, although much of the current structure was built during the early 19th century.
Planning papers say the proposal creates a ‘marker’ building at the ‘gateway’ of the town centre and ‘helps to ensure that important views and vistas are not lost, particularly those of St Mary’s Church.’
A heritage application adds that the proposed site sits poorly within the Market and Underbanks conservation area and ‘is not considered to make a positive contribution to its significance.’
It is described as having a ‘neglected appearance’ which has a particularly negative impact on the ‘highly significant eastern part of St Mary’s.
The developer is said to have ‘substantially reduced’ the number of apartments proposed for the scheme in order to ‘achieve an acceptable scheme which respects the character’ of the conservation area and the church.
“Although the development has a height greater than the three storeys recommended by the Conservation Officer, there is a cost to the restitution of the site and the recreation of The Folley and the development needs to be economically viable,” the document adds.
The new building would include 23 one-bed and 16 two bed apartments, with papers adding that two of these could be available for affordable rent.
The scale of the development is described as being ‘entirely appropriate’ within the area, while ‘special care’ is said to have been taken to ‘generate visual interest not only to Millgate, but also to the churchyard of St Mary’s.’
Papers add: “The proposed layout demonstrates a practical and attractive mix of tenure and dwelling type, for a town centre site, which can take advantage of the existing pattern of connectivity and will integrate the site well with its surrounding area and assist in providing a positive boost for the town centre economy.”
It adds that the plans demonstrate a ‘highquality design’ that deserve ‘positive consideration.’
The application seeks ‘outline’ permission which establishes the principle of development - and is followed by more detailed proposals if this is approved.
A decision on whether to grant planning permission will be made by Stockport council.