Cheadle College set for £27 million upgrade

Trafford College Group is to invest £27 million in upgrading the facilities available for Stockport learners at Cheadle College.

The group, which also includes Stockport College, Marple Sixth Form College and Trafford College’s two campus in Stretford and Altrincham, plans to downsize area the Cheadle Hulme campus, with new, more efficient buildings that better suit the college’s needs.

Funding for the improvements comprises £20 million from the Department for Education, announced last year, alongside a further £7 million put forward by the Trafford College Group. The planned upgrade follows the college being acquired by Trafford College Group in 2021 and substantial investment and improvements recently completed at Stockport College’s town centre campus.

A public consultation is currently underway for local residents and stakeholders of Cheadle College to share their views on the proposals, which include:

• High-quality new facilities for young people, including laboratories, landscaping and growing space horticulture provision, improved sports facilities, specialist SEND facilities and facilities for students working towards new T Level technical qualifications.
• Bespoke learning resource centre and teaching facilities to provide a more welcoming environment for staff, students and visitors.
• A secure gated entrance on Cheadle Road that will be locked at night. A new drop off and pick up location will be provided alongside new car parking, disabled car parking and cycle parking serving the new college.
• A comprehensive scheme of hard and soft landscaping that integrates with the design, providing high-quality outdoor spaces experienced by students, staff and visitors. Existing trees and landscaping will be retained along the boundaries, maintaining existing habitats for birds and wildlife and visual screening to neighbouring properties.

The area of surplus college buildings will be repurposed as part of the final stage of the development, with Trafford College Group looking to secure planning permission in principle for up to 63 homes, with a view to sell off the land to a residential developer.

A drop-in session will take place on Tuesday 6th June between 4pm and 7pm at Cheadle College where the project team will be on hand to answer questions about the proposals, and the public consultation will remain open for feedback online until Sunday 11th June. A planning application is expected to be submitted to Stockport Council later this summer.