PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED FOR TWO KEY STOCKPORT SITES

Stockport Council has received planning permission for two key developments that will help to revitalise the borough.

Full planning permission has been granted for the new £45 million Redrock retail and leisure scheme on the former Bridgefield Street car park in the town centre.

The scheme includes a new 40,000 sq ft cinema, restaurant units and shops. The cinema has already been pre let to Light Cinema’s Ltd and discussions are being held with national operators for the restaurants. To support all these new business and customers the scheme includes a new multi storey car park linking to the Debenhams and Merseyway car parks, which together will offer nearly 1,200 space car parks.

The town centre will also be greatly improved with both Princes Street and Bridgefield Street becoming pedestrianised. Facades on the properties fronting Bridgefield Street will be improved and there will be sitting out areas, including a new public square. Accessibility will also be improved in to the town centre with a new, direct access road to and from the A6.

Start on site is expected to take place this year with a view to occupation early in 2017

In addition, planning permission has been received for a new employment development scheme on the former Gorsey Bank housing estate in Cheadle Heath.  

The development represents a £10 million investment and will provide about 145,000 sq ft of light industrial and employment space and create over 240 new jobs.  Existing public open space in the area will also be enhanced as part of the scheme, as will the riverside walk.

It is anticipated that construction will commence later this year, with the first buildings to be occupied next year.

Cllr Patrick McAuley, for Economic Development and Regeneration said: “This is a very exciting time for Stockport. As part of our Investing in Stockport programme, we are committed to investing in the growth of the borough and developments such as these help us to drive forward our ambition of putting Stockport on the map to bring more people to work, shop and socialise here.

“We have been keen to involve the public in plans for both developments, by holding various consultation exercises and we are pleased to have secured planning for both. We look forward to an exciting few years further improving Stockport’s offer.”