While new houses are important, and needed in and around Stockport, there is also a need to ensure people’s needs are met. Property development must move hand-in-hand with business and educational needs. Thankfully, this combination is at the heart of the new urban village that is set to materialise as part of the Stockport College Campus.
The development has been titled the Royal George Village, and is set to host more than 440 apartments. There will also be office space for businesses and start-ups. With one section of the development set to feature a 16-storey apartment block which overlooks the A6, this is an impressive project.
All change in Stockport
While the site, which is bounded by Greek Street and Wellington Road South, currently has six buildings, only two of these are set to be retained. The Torkington Building is set to remain, and will be converted into 122 apartments. The Lyme Centre is set to be demolished, with a new building containing more than 250 apartments replacing it.
The former Metropolitan Girls’ School building will become a co-working space while a new building at the corner of Greek Street and Royal George Street is set to deliver more than 60 apartments. There will also be civic and public space created through the demolition of the Hexagon Lecture Hall while there will also be a private garden for residents.
Investar chief executive Michael Dong, said: “Despite the restrictions of the last eight weeks the team has worked tremendously hard to take on board the comments made during the extended consultation period to finalise the plans and ensure we are on track to deliver this ground-breaking scheme.”
Investar head of development James Alderson added: "The plans embrace the old and welcome the new to create a real sense of place, a place with character and open space, within walking distance of good public transport and local facilities. This is not a gated community but a new neighbourhood at the heart of the town which will be accessible to all. It fits the local authority’s huge ambition to provide high quality new homes and retain and create jobs while adding social and economic value."
Life will continue at the College
The scheme is set to be completed in three phases. This will allow the college to lease back both the Lyme Building and the Greek Street Building while work on their new campus continues.
Michelle Leslie, Vice Principal for Corporate Services and Planning at The Trafford College Group said: “We are pleased to see the planning application reach the submission stage of the process and we are looking forward to the next stage of the project working with our colleagues at the Investar Property Group.”
Michelle continued by saying; “Alongside the continued redevelopment of Stockport College which is due for completion early next year and will provide an education campus the town can be proud of, the Royal George Village will create a thriving residential and commercial hub that will serve the community of Stockport for many years to come.”
As long as planning approval is granted, it is hoped that work will begin on the site early in 2021. The first work scheduled to be undertaken at the site is the conversion of the Torkington Building. The current schedule is for the development to be completed by the end of 2024.
With convenient transport links to the centre of Manchester, and significant developments taking place, Stockport is the ideal place to buy, live or invest. As Stockport property specialists, we want to ensure you stay in touch with the latest property news. If you are looking for assistance in this area, give Spencer Harvey a call on 0161 480 8888 or send us an email at info@spencerharvey.co.uk. For a free valuation please visit: https://www.spencerharvey.co.uk/valuation-enquiry.html
*Image: Investar Property