Milestone reached in restoring derelict hospital into new neighbourhood with care facility

A key milestone has been reached in the transformation of St Thomas’ Gardens – an intergenerational residential community in Stockport that is repurposing a long-derelict Grade II listed hospital into a new neighbourhood.

The final slate has now been laid on the roof of the development’s highest point, marking a symbolic moment in the regeneration of the hospital site that has stood empty for over 15 years on Shaw Heath in the town centre.

Delivered by Stockport Council, with funding from Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Homes England, the St Thomas’ Gardens site will be home to the Centre for Living Well – an 82-bed intermediate care facility with eight supported housing units. The facility – one of the first of its kind in Greater Manchester – will support individuals who are discharged from hospital but aren’t yet ready to return home, as well as those who require short-term support to prevent hospital admission, helping them regain independence in a safe and supportive setting. It will also provide residential accommodation with attached support services for individuals who need help to live independently.

St Thomas’ Centre for Living Well is expected to be complete by early 2027. Meanwhile, the council is working to advance the next phase of development, which will introduce 68 new, high-quality homes, including affordable housing.

This innovative project is designed to support residents at every stage of life, integrating housing and health to create Stockport’s first truly intergenerational living environment. With one in four Stockport residents aged 60 and over, the development responds directly to the borough’s evolving needs, offering a dynamic space that promotes independence, well-being and connection.

Stockport’s broad appeal has earned national recognition as a top place to live at any age. Consumer group Which? named it one of the UK’s best towns for retirement, while The Times highlighted it as an ideal location for first-time buyers.

Cllr Mark Roberts, Stockport Council Leader, said:

“St Thomas’ Gardens is a powerful example of what regeneration can achieve – not just restoring a historic site, but reimagining it as a place where people at all stages of life can live well and be connected.

“This development sets a new benchmark for town centre living, combining homes, health and community in one integrated space and is a vital step towards our ambition to deliver 8,000 new homes in the town centre across the next 15 years. The scheme embodies our One Stockport, One Future vision – creating a place where everyone in the borough has the opportunity to live a healthy, happy life.”

Cllr Micheala Meikle, Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Skills at Stockport Council, said:

“We’re proud to be breathing new life into Stockport’s historic buildings at the same time as creating new ones, with opportunities for all ages. Forming part of our ambitious regeneration programme, this latest milestone takes us one step closer to achieving our vision to bring about more affordable homes and places to live for our residents, building a brighter future for generations to come.”

St Thomas’ Gardens is a flagship project within Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) and Stockport Council’s vision to deliver 8,000 new homes across the town centre over the next 15 years. The development comes under Stockport’s £1 billion town centre regeneration – the largest in the UK.

It also plays a vital role in the council’s strategy for integrated health and social care, aligning with the One Stockport, One Future approach to build a healthier, happier and more resilient community.

Since its establishment in 2019, the MDC has driven forward landmark developments, including the state-of-the-art Stockport Interchange and brand-new business district at Stockport Exchange. To date, £600 million private sector investment has been secured, 175,000 sq ft of employment space generated, and 1,200 new homes completed and on site, with a further 1,300 in the pipeline to start on site in the next five years.

Affordable housing is an integral part of the pipeline, with 73 affordable homes delivered at Platform, 148 on site at Chestergate, and 82 more to be delivered within phase one of the new Stockport 8 neighbourhood. Elsewhere in the town centre, 131 properties (63 affordable rent and 68 social rent) will be available at Edward Street, further strengthening Stockport’s affordable offer.