Most residents will have seen the multi-storey car park being built next to Stockport’s railway station – the first part of regenerating the Grand Central area.
The Lib Dem Council’s Executive has now approved proposals for the next phase – an office block, hotel and public square, giving a pedestrianised exit from the station.
The development creates jobs in the construction phase, but also jobs further down the line in the businesses that will be based here.
Planning permission has been granted for the building of an ‘M-local’ Morrisons store on the site of the former Greyhound pub in Cheadle Hulme.
The site has been empty since the closure and demolition of the pub three years ago.
The proposal is for the building of the store, an additional retail unit and 21 parking spaces.
Ann Smith, John Reid and the local Lib Dem team undertook a door-to-door survey of local residents asking what they thought of the proposal.
Though the survey showed residents are generally in favour of developing the site, Ann and John want to ensure all resident’s concerns are heard. Some are concerned that there is not enough space for delivery and refuse vehicles.
Ann promised to pass on resident’s concerns to Councillors on the local planning committee.
“The committee agreed to make numerous conditions to the application after we raised our concerns about the size of delivery vehicles and opening times,” said Ann.
“I don’t want the site to be derelict, but the developers must listen to local needs,” said John Reid.
Ann was keen also to discuss the issue of a filter lane for traffic from Bird Hall Road turning right into Councillor Lane. “It is difficult to see cars coming from Ladybridge Road as it is, and this needs looking at.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoXwTj9w8Ms
Stockport has successfully bid to become a ‘Portas Pilot’.
Mary Portas, from the BBC series ‘Mary Queen of Shops’ carried out an independent review of high streets last year and is working with the Government to offer extra help to towns with the most innovative ideas to boost their high streets.
Stockport’s bid focused on encouraging specialist shops, markets and creative industries within the historic Markets and Underbanks area of the town centre.
Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “This is fantastic news for Stockport. It’s a testament to the enthusiasm, commitment and inspiration of local businesses, market traders, organisations and residents, who worked with the council to make ours a winning bid.
“But this is only the start. Work establishing our new ‘town team’ – made up of all the town centre partners- has already begun. They will work hard to get the best for the town centre, reduce the number of empty shops and develop an exciting new cultural quarter around our unique historic market area.
“Today’s news and the work already underway on office quarter Grand Central and plans for a new town centre leisure development, means exciting times ahead for Stockport.”
