Plans approved for investment in Cheadle College

Trafford College Group has seen its plans approved to invest £27 million in upgrading facilities for learners at it Cheadle College campus.

Stockport Council’s Planning and Highways Regulation Committee gave the green light to proposals in their meeting on Thursday 14th December 2023. Plans submitted by the college include construction of new three-storey, and two-storey teaching buildings on undeveloped land next to existing buildings. Once complete and teaching can be moved to the new site, the older buildings would be demolished to make way for new landscaping and sports facilities.

Councillors gave the approvals for the redevelopment of the college site subject to a Section 106 agreement for developer contributions to fund local facilities and confirmation plans would meet requirements to deliver a biodiversity net gain.

Outline planning consent was also granted for the development of 32 homes on part of the site, with the sale of the land to a residential developer helping to finance the work.

Trafford College Group, which also operates Stockport College, Marple Sixth Form College and Trafford College’s two campuses in Stretford and Altrincham, will put forward £7 million towards the improves, supported by a further £20 million investment from the Department for Education. 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.

Approval for the work by Stockport Council follows a community consultation on the plans which launched in Summer 2023. Following engagement and comments from local residents, proposals for an artificial grass sports pitch were withdrawn, replaced by a grass facility. The density of residential development was also reduced, with outline approval granted for only 32 homes, rather than the 63 properties originally put forward by Trafford College Group.