Chestergate affordable homes gain planning approval

148 affordable homes in the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) Town Centre West regeneration area have gained planning approval.

Great Places Housing Group’s plans propose a £35 million development on Chestergate, and will be the housing provider’s second scheme in the Stockport MDC area; work on its King Street West site began in Spring 2023.

Both developments will play a key role in providing a new gateway into the area from opposite ends of the town centre west regeneration zone which will see the delivery of 3,500 homes and more than 1 million sq ft of commercial space.

Part funded by Homes England and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Chestergate development will transform the former brownfield site into a mix of one and two-bed apartments, which will be available for affordable rent and to purchase via the government-backed Rent to Buy scheme.

Designed by architects Paddock Johnson Partnerships, the Chestergate development reflects the areas industrial heritage, provides a green pedestrian link to the river Mersey and looks to compliment other proposed developments in the area, adding much needed additional high-quality affordable homes to the mix. Savills were appointed as planning consultants to guide the application through to approval.

Great Places assembled the development site through the acquisition of three separate parcels of land from PJD, Stockport Council and Transport for Greater Manchester.

The Rent to Buy homes will provide customers with the opportunity to save for a deposit while renting their property at a discounted rent over a period of at least five years.

Commenting on the proposals Nick Gornall, Great Places Housing Group’s Director of Development, said:

“We’re delighted that our proposals to build 148 affordable homes within this key regeneration area of Stockport have been approved.

“Securing the planning permission is the culmination of over two years of working closely with the council and other partners to ensure the proposals complement the Mayoral Development Corporation’s aspirations to develop Stockport’s Town Centre West area into a residential location of choice. The plans highlight the power of partnership working to deliver the long-term aspiration of building a resilient and vibrant community in the heart of the borough.

“Chestergate is our second development in the area marking a significant investment into the local area which benefits from all of the attractions and connectivity in the town centre whilst adding to the wider sustainability of the new neighbourhood.”

Cllr Colin MacAlister, Cabinet Member for Economy Regeneration and Housing added:

“We are delighted that again Great Places are bringing forward another high-quality scheme in Stockport Town Centre and share our goal of revitalising the town centre, along with delivering sustainable and affordable housing.

“This project, in the heart of our Mayoral Development Corporation area, Town Centre West, is set to provide a significant boost to the area, offering 148 high-quality homes and contributing to the wider vision of creating a vibrant, modern gateway into Stockport.”

Work will start on the new site will start in summer 2024.