Development partner sought for Cheadle Eco-Business Park

Stockport Council has begun the tender process to find a Development Manager for a 7-acre eco-business park being brought forward on Bird Hall Lane, Cheadle.

An Invitation to Tender has been launched for the proposed development which aims to demonstrate market-leading, high environmental technologies and performance, alongside job creation, economic growth and amenity improvements to the surrounding area. The scheme will be market-leading in terms of its environmental credentials, targeting an ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM rating, to minimise carbon in both the build and in the operation of the scheme to low/net zero levels and with on-site renewable energy generation.

The eco-business park is backed by £4.44 million from the Government’s Towns Fund, which is also supporting plans for improved cycle routes and new train station in Cheadle following the £13.9 million levelling-up funding award.

Cllr Colin MacAlister, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said:

“Cheadle Eco Business Park is a hugely ambitious, low carbon employment site which will be game-changing in terms of its long-term sustainability, whilst also addressing our pledge as a council to put climate action at the forefront of what we do. As well as this, it is also an important scheme for employment generation, attracting businesses and creating new jobs in our borough.”

Brian Bradley, Chair of the Cheadle Town Fund Board said:

“I’m really excited to be part of the work of the Board. This proposed appointment kick-starts the delivery of the new Cheadle Eco Business Park by bringing in a specialist partner to help drive sustainable low carbon economic growth. We are seeking a partner with proven expertise and a track record so we can achieve the desired outcome of an Eco Business Park with exemplar low carbon credentials. Alongside the current cycling and walking scheme, now on site, and the new rail station in pipeline, these projects will be transformative for Cheadle and beyond.”

Alex Andrews, Associate Director, Development Advisory at CBRE UK who advised the council, said;

“This represents a fantastic opportunity for a development manager to support the transformation of this strategic site into a job creating and market leading sustainable scheme of excellence to benefit the immediate and wider area.”

There is a strong industrial occupier demand in Stockport and a very limited supply of good quality industrial accommodation. This was evidenced with the hugely successful development of Aurora Stockport, delivered by Stockport Council in 2019 to transform a derelict 18-acre site alongside the M60 into a thriving, high spec 145,000 sq ft industrial park. The scheme provided units ranging from 9,000 to 47,000 sq ft, with significant occupier interest resulting in the scheme being 75% pre-let at Practical Completion.

Over the last decade, the council has delivered several major transformation projects, in particular enhancing the town’s industrial market (Aurora Stockport), office market (Stockport Exchange), retail offer (Merseyway, Market Place and Underbanks), leisure market (Redrock) and public transport infrastructure (new interchange and railway improvements) to significant acclaim.

Cheadle Eco Business Park is located in a highly prominent position within a well-established business location. The site benefits from excellent road connectivity being 1.5 miles from J2 of the M60 Motorway, the Manchester Outer Ring Road, which provides connections to the wider motorway network across the north. At present the council use the site for operational services but these will be relocated within the next 18 months.

Tenders are invited by STAR Procurement, on behalf of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, and the opportunity can be found via Chest under reference: DN642170 – Cheadle Eco Park – Development Manager Services.