A Manchester-based architects has submitted promising proposals to demolish an old 1970s-era office block and make way for a brand new residential community in Stockport.
The vision seems fairly ambitious and lofty – pun intended – but the potential outcome could be stunning.
Ollier Smurthwaite (OS) Architects are the local practice behind the new housing plans, which will not only provide nearly 300 new homes but also bring part of the Stopfordian skyline down; it’s not often you hear of things getting lower when so much of Greater Manchester just keeps building up.
Sharing the first proper glimpse at what they hope the redeveloped corner of the busy A6 main road will look like, many have been pleased to see familiar red brick and a traditional feel as opposed to more glass towers.
Writing a lengthy caption alongside the social media post, the OS state, “We are preparing a planning application for the St Christopher’s site in Stockport.
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“Located at the prominent junction of Wellington Road South and Longshut Lane, the proposal aims to transform the prominent corner by demolishing the existing 10-storey 1970s office block to make way for a new residential community.
“The proposals are for a modern ‘mansion’ block with taller ceilings, more windows, better communal areas and private gardens.”
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It remains to be seen at what price point these apartments will be available for.
Promising a total of 278 ‘new dwellings’, the scheme will crucially see the height of the existing plot lowered to fall in line with other neighbouring properties, as St Christopher’s House currently sits well above the nearby terraces and its metropolitan style does stand out against the surrounding brickwork.
The early reception to the proposed plans looks to be largely positive, too, with one user commenting online, “A very nice looking building with character. More of these please”; another went so far as to add, “These are the sort of modern buildings that will become grade listed.”
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It’s also worth showcasing what exactly these blueprints look like when they’re brought to life, such as another development over in Longsight:
Render vs Reality. We recently completed our Daisy Bank scheme in Longsight Manchester for 72 new homes. The scheme takes contextual references from Dalton Ellis Hall & Victoria Park Christian Fellowship in the adjacent conservation area.@createstreets@archi_tradition… pic.twitter.com/DasRUtaylh
Safe to say that seeing what businesses trying to regenerate boroughs actually deliver compared to their initial mock-ups is always useful.
The award-winning firm goes on to add that “the building will be deliberately stepped back from the pavement to create a planted tree-lined avenue”, which will also revolve around a central courtyard and residents’ gardens, with ground-floor flats benefitting from private patios.
CGIs of shared communal roof terraces also give the designs that added modern look, with few other places in the vicinity offering this kind of space. It could be a welcome addition to the region that is already going through plenty of change at the minute.
Another big construction scheme is the one being carried out by Capital and Centric over the new Weir Mill district, which could be transformational for the town centre.
Manchester United announce plans for first permanent fan zone at Old Trafford
Danny Jones
Manchester United have revealed the first glimpse at a brand-new fan zone at Old Trafford – the first permanent one of its kind at the ground.
Dubbed ‘The Paddock’ in a nod to the club’s history, the official Man United supporter park is due to open later this year.
Set to be fully unveiled just metres from the Stretford End, the aim is to make it “the closest place to the stadium to enjoy great local food, drink, and lively entertainment.”
The new addition comes after recent consultations with regular season ticket holders who want a dedicated and club-sanctioned space to enjoy themselves before, during and after fixtures.
As you can see from the brief look we’ve now gotten at the fan park, which will be able to hold approximately 1,300 Reds, The Paddock will revolve around food and drink – including some self-service bars – as well as space for live music and other entertainment.
We know the above image is only a little artist’s mock-up, but you can picture local grassroots musicians who support the team being given the opportunity to play the stage, etc.
Rick McGagh, Director of Fan Engagement at United, said: “We’re delighted that in partnership with Levy, we have implemented a wide range of changes to enhance matchdays, bringing greater choice and better service for supporters across the stadium – something fans have told us they want.”
An official statement goes on to read that “the proposed fan zone is the latest example of our continued investment in the atmosphere, fan experience and facilities at Old Trafford, while progressing plans for a new world-class stadium.”
Speaking of which, we recently got more details on where exactly ‘New Trafford’ (not a confirmed title, just FYI) will sit in relation to the existing Theatre of Dreams.
Wharfside will look VERY different in the years to come.
Obviously, all of this news comes as somewhat temporary by default given that we now know the vision of Man United’s new stadium is finally starting to move forward.
However, it is nevertheless good news for matchgoers looking for places to spend extended periods near the venue when going to a game.
At present, this is all still subject to full planning permission, but with former Old Trafford Regeneration Taskforce Members and Greater Manchester Mayor turned Prime Minister Andy Burnham now at the helm, you’d expect something like this to pass through smoothly and quickly.
With an autumn opening date currently set for the opening of The Paddock, it will be interesting to see how well-attended it is given some of the recent sentiments and frustrations surrounding many of the most loyal and dedicated Man United fans.
In case you missed it, even a six-year-old kid and former mascot has seen his ticket restricted due to the attempted crackdown on touts. 😬
Featured Images — Publicity picture (via Manchester United FC)/The Manc Group
Property
Two unique North West homes named among most-viewed on Rightmove so far in 2026
Emily Sergeant
Rightmove has released a list of its most-viewed homes currently for sale in 2026, and two of them are in the North West.
Not only that, but they are two unique properties that we’ve actually featured before.
With the first half of the year now over and summer well underway, the leading property platform took the time to revisit the properties that attracted the most clicks from home-hunters so far in 2026, and it’s seems like it’s not just the mega mansions catching people’s eye (although there are a few of them too).
From a £200,000 cliff-top cottage built for a famous novelist, to a £20 million Gothic mansion, and everything in between, this year’s most-viewed homes span every corner of the market.
According to Rightmove, while the properties vary ‘enormously’ in price, they are united by their standout unusual features that make them impossible to scroll past.
This eclectic Victorian villa is on the market in a leafy Manchester suburb / Credit: Jamie Burke – eXp (via Rightmove)
The first property on the list in the North West is one that has proved very popular with our readers when we first shared it back in early 2025 – it’s this eclectic red-brick Victorian villa on the market in a sought-after Manchester suburb that’s undergone some extensive renovations over the last decade to make it the stunning property it is today.
Built in 1885 and on the market currently for £1.44m (Offers Over), the house sits among a number of grand villas built around Alexandra Park to serve the wealthy merchants and bankers looking to escape the smog of city centre.
The house has seven bedrooms arranged across four floors, a cinema room below ground, and a sun room overlooking the garden.
It’s also ‘impeccably designed’ throughout, and is a true credit to the current owners.
Elsewhere on the most-viewed list in the North West is the iconic former orangery for sale in the grounds of a grand Lancashire park that we featured not too long ago back in May.
Set within the distinguished grounds of Lancashire’s Woodfold Hall, and currently on the market for the reduced price of £1.5m, The Orangery effortlessly blends heritage charm with refined modern living, and estate agents say it’s a home that feels both ‘indulgent and inviting’.
Built all the way back in 1820 for renowned cotton magnate and industrialist Henry Sudell, it’s perfect for those who appreciate character and privacy… and a touch of grandeur, of course.
The Orangery is one of the most unique properties currently on the market in the region / Credit: Fine & Country (via Rightmove)
Some of the property’s stand-out features include the striking curved reception hall, the open plan kitchen-diner bathed in natural light from three elevations, and several reception rooms with French doors leading out into the expansive gardens.
Outside, the two-acre gardens are home to a magnificent monkey puzzle tree – which is believed to be one of the oldest of its kind in the country.
Danny Jones -
17th July 2026 
