The £250 million ‘masterplan’ for a brand-new mixed residential neighbourhood in Stockport has been unveiled.
Coming from Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) and the English Cities Fund (ECF) – which is a joint venture between Homes England, Muse, and Legal & General – the “exciting” development will take shape to the west of the Greater Manchester town’s centre, and is currently known as ‘Stockport 8’.
Located on land either side of King Street West and next to the railway viaduct, the £250 million plans will reconnect the site to nearby neighbourhoods and the town centre, and aim to “bring life back” to what was once a “thriving” residential neighbourhood under the railway arches.
The ‘Stockport 8’ site is central to the wider £1 billion investment that’s currently being delivered across the town centre, and is “at the heart” of the £500 million Stockport MDC masterplan – which is aiming to transform Stockport into the most “sustainable” and “liveable” town centre in the region over the next decade.
The 130-acre Stockport MDC masterplan includes 4,000 new homes, alongside local amenities, green spaces, new workspaces, and “radical” transport improvements.
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The £250m ‘masterplan’ for a new mixed residential neighbourhood in Stockport has been unveiled / Credit: Stockport MDC
Alongside the draft masterplan for ‘Stockport 8’, a number of concept sketches have also been released.
Developers say the concept sketches show the project’s “early thoughts” for the next chapter in the story of Stockport’s revival.
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The ‘masterplan’ then outlines the aim for a high-quality and walkable green neighbourhood that combines all of the best attributes of the existing place with “innovative placemaking ideas”, in a bid to deliver a “vibrant” new part of town for the people of Stockport.
This includes up to 1,200 energy-efficient homes – a mixture of affordable, Build to Rent, and open-market sale properties – new spaces for local businesses and community facilities, green spaces to “promote health and wellbeing”, new walking routes to connect the wider town centre to surrounding communities, and also fully-accessible car parking, car clubs, and cycle parking areas.
Stockport MDC & the English Cities Fund have launched a community conversation on £250m plans to create an exciting new neighbourhood to the west of the town centre.
Plans also feature several chances to celebrate Stockport’s iconic local heritage, including new inclusive public spaces for markets, festivals, and live events.
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“This is one of the largest town centre regeneration projects in the UK,” commented Joe Stockton, who is the Senior Development manager at Muse – which is part of the English Cities Fund – “and it’s only right that the local community is at the heart of what we do.
“We’re excited to find out what local people and businesses want to see in the area to help us shape the plans, and ensure there is something for everyone.
“We want to design a thriving, inclusive neighbourhood that will deliver the needs of the community now, and for generations to come, and that has Stockport’s independent spirit and character at its core.”
Featured Image – Stockport MDC
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AO Arena announces ‘In Conversation’ event with Luke Una
Thomas Melia
Much loved DJ and musical artist Luke Una is the latest act appearing at the AO Arena as part of their ‘In Conversation’ event taking place in Manchester later this year.
Luke Cowdrey, known more commonly under the name Luke Una, makes up one half of the unforgettable DJ duo, The Unabombers, who were widely respected in the Manchester club scene.
Known for his involvement in pivotal club movements like Homobloc and E Soul Cultura, he certainly knows how to live it large.
Una’s music helped define the underground scene in Manchester during the 1980s and 90s alongside The Unabombers bandmate, Justin Crawford.
The two were known for producing music in the Northern Sulphuric Soul genre and even ran a legendary club night titled ‘Electric Chair’.
Their music tended to blend lots of different sounds from across the globe, including Latin, hip-hop, disco, house and more.
Now, Una is ditching the decks for a mellower event focused all around his music, where he will be sharing stories that have taken place over the course of his expansive four-decade-long career.
All the talks taking place at AO Arena will be hosted by none other than BBC 6 Music presenter Chris Hawkins known for his work regularly hosting an early morning radio show and also documentaries too.
Una isn’t the only guest who will be talking all things career and Northern music, The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess is also taking part in the AO Arena’s newest talk series ‘Live And In Conversation’ set to take place this month.
The adored DJ is taking to the incredible Manchester venue on 18 May from 6pm to 10:30pm, giving guests plenty of opportunities to learn all about his artistry and skill.
Luke Una is sitting down with Chris Hawkins for AO Arena’s ‘Live And In Conversation’ series, with tickets going on sale HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity Picture (via Supplied)
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Pep Guardiola says Manchester United fans should be ‘ashamed’ after ‘sick’ chant
Danny Jones
Man City manager Pep Guardiola has condemned the Man United fans who began what has been described as a ‘sick’ chant during this weekend’s Manchester derby.
It was a forgettable outing for both sides of the city after a game where a lack of quality in the final third ultimately led to a bore draw at Old Trafford.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, having already made a point of consoling him on the pitch after the full-time whistle, Guardiola said it displayed “a lack of class” from the home support.
Although the Catalan coach added the caveat that “it’s not United, it’s the people [instead]” and does happen all over the world, he still questioned the need to draw family members into chanting.
Described by many online as abuse, he went on to state that those involved “should be ashamed” and simply showed a lapse in “integrity” from those who continued well into the second half.
Foden himself could be seen reacting to the chants during the game, giving the crowd a sarcastic thumbs up and then swinging his arm upwards as if to ask for them to keep it up.
It would have no doubt stirred plenty of motivation in the 24-year-old Stopfordian, but he was ultimately subbed off just before the hour mark to a further chorus of jeers and looked to be somewhat limping down the tunnel after all was said and done – again, with the chants about his mum continuing.
Striker Troy Deeney told talkSPORT that it is merely “part of the game, unfortunately”, and United legend Gary Neville still criticised both sides for being too friendly both before and after what is supposed to be a fierce rivalry.
Is he right?
Though an arm around the shoulder from Pep in the immediate aftermath served as a touching gesture and consolation for Foden following a difficult evening, the England international has so far refused to comment on the treatment from the opposition supporters afterwards.
If anything, his subsequent post on social media was a standard but defiant one, simply writing: “We keep going.”
Despite struggling to hit the same heights he did last season and has shown in spells over recent years, former City defender Micah Richards still believes we’ll see a “better” Phil Foden when team talisman De Bruyne leaves at the end of the season.
You can watch the highlights from the game down below.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd January 2024 
