In the shadow of one of Greater Manchester's most iconic landmarks, a new community will soon emerge
19.05.2022 - 08:41
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
It's a landmark known across Greater Manchester. Soon, a new community will emerge in the shadow of Stockport's famous viaduct.
A new ‘walkable neighbourhood’ boasting up to 1,200 homes is planned. Dubbed ‘Stockport 8’, early plans for the eight-acre site also include new shops, offices and a leisure space.
The plot also sits next to the new Stockport transport Interchange - work on which got under way in March - and Grade II-listed Weir Mill, which is subject to an ongoing £60m restoration project. It is the latest site to be brought forward under plans to create a 4,000-home ‘urban village’ within the Town Centre West regeneration zone.
Progress across the 130-acre zone is being driven by the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) established by Andy Burnham in 2019 and chaired by Lord Bob Kerslake. Now the MDC is seeking a long-term partner to develop Stockport 8 - worth around £250m - and ‘create a new digitally-capable, walkable neighbourhood' including more than 1,000 new homes’.
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Mr Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This new site offers an exceptional opportunity to be part of one of the leading regeneration projects right now, not only in Greater Manchester but across the UK. Stockport is already one of our best-connected business locations, with fast transport links to Manchester, Birmingham and London, and the transformative plans being delivered by the MDC and its experienced partners will secure its future as one of the best town centres in the country to live.
He added: “The MDC is a powerful tool to bring about rapid change, and is set to add £117m to the local economy every year. I’ve no doubt that Stockport will be