Stockport asked to ‘join the conversation’ as CAPITAL&CENTRIC launches consultation on iconic Weir Mill
Locals are being asked to give their opinion on the project - which will see the creation of 250 new homes, as well as independent shops and green space.
Social impact developer CAPITAL&CENTRIC has launched consultation on its £60m plans to transform Weir Mill in Stockport into a thriving new mixed-use community.
Local residents are now being asked for their feedback on the proposal – which includes the construction of 250 new homes, modern riverside frontage, spaces for independent traders (such as café-bars, delis or shops) and surrounding courtyards and green spaces.
CAPITAL&CENTRIC announced the regeneration plans in May – hoping to bring a new lease of life to the waterfront with shops open to all members of the public.
Weir Mill began life as a water-powered cotton works in the late 18th century and remains a treasured part of Stockport town centre – with its original water wheelhouse and mill building still standing today.
Adam Higgins, co-founder of CAPITAL&CENTRIC said: “Weir Mill is an enduring icon of Stockport’s industrial past, which even inspired local artist LS Lowry. But many of the buildings are now in a pretty bad state so we have to find a viable long term use for them or risk losing them forever.
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“Our plan is to create a thriving new town centre community, where incredible places to live sit alongside green spaces and amenities looking out across the river.
“This isn’t just going to be a development for the people that live there, we’re creating a quiet space in the town centre where you can grab a coffee and sit by the water surrounded by some of Stockport’s best historic architecture.
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“We want to know what you’d like to see there. This could be café-bars, delis or independent shops but we’re open to ideas. So, join the conversation and tell us what you think!”
COVID-19 restrictions means public meetings aren’t possible. However, CAPITAL&CENTRIC have been engaging with the community by other means including:
Sending a newsletter to nearly 5000 households and businesses in the area with a tear-off questionnaire
Encouraging feedback via phone on 0800 689 1095 or email: [email protected]
Welcoming comments on social media: @CapitalCentric
This first stage of consultation closes on 14 August.
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Feedback will be used to help shape the plans with a further stage of consultation after summer.
A planning application is likely to be submitted to the local council by the end of the year.
Famed for innovative design and ambitious regeneration projects, CAPITAL&CENTRIC has made its first foray into Stockport with Weir Mill – a key part of the Mayoral Development Corporation’s (MDC’s) big plan for the town centre.
The Weir Mill site will sit adjacent to a new £120m transport interchange, being backed by £7m of Housing Infrastructure Fund money from Homes England.
Stockport Council Leader, Councillor Elise Wilson said: “It’s great to see the plans for Weir Mill moving forward and I’d encourage local people to get involved in the consultation.
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“CAPITAL&CENTRIC are known for their focus on creating communities so this is an opportunity for local people to come together with the developer to create something really special.
“Weir Mill will really set the scene for our ambitious plans for Town Centre West and encourage more people to visit and live in the town centre. I look forward to seeing the plans as they develop.”
Lord Bob Kerslake, Chair of the MDC, said the development could “set a new standard for town centre living.”
“It’s vital that we set the bar high and create something that local people can engage with and be proud of,” he added.
“CAPITAL&CENTRIC’s track record of ambitious, high-quality development makes them the ideal developer for this historic site and it’s great to see developers continuing to back Stockport as we look to Build Back Better.”
Learn more about CAPITAL&CENTRIC by visiting their website.
Property
Government sets date for ‘historic’ no-fault evictions ban next year
Emily Sergeant
The Government has officially set the date for the ban of no-fault evictions next year.
Renting in England is expected to be ‘transformed’ with a raft of major changes coming into effect as part of the new Renters’ Rights Bill from 1 May 2026 for 11 million people across the country – and this, crucially, includes the end of Section 21 evictions at no-fault of the tenant.
As it stands, Section 21 notices leaving thousands of people vulnerable to homelessness every year, but in just under six months’ time, private renters will no longer face this threat.
To the vast majority of renters and landlords who play by the rules, this government has got your back.
Further measures announced as part of the new Renters’ Rights Bill – which has now been passed in law – include a ban on rental bidding wars, making landlords and letting agents legally required to publish an asking rent for their property and prevented from asking for, encouraging, or accepting any bids above this price, and also a ban on in-tenancy rent increases written in to contracts.
The latter will prevent landlords from implementing higher rents mid-tenancy, and only allow them to raise the rent once a year to the market rate.
Landlords will also no longer be able to unreasonably refuse tenants’ requests to have a pet, nor will they be able to discriminate against potential tenants, because they receive benefits or have children.
‘No-fault’ evictions are now banned in England under historic new legislation / Credit: Maria Ziegler (via Unsplash)
On the flip side, however, the new Bill means landlords will have stronger legally valid reasons to get their properties back when needed – whether that’s be to move in themselves, sell the property, or deal with rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.
The Government says this will work to deliver a fairer system for both sides.
“We’re calling time on no fault evictions and rogue landlords,” commented Housing Secretary, Steve Reed. “Everyone should have peace of mind and the security of a roof over their head, and the law we’ve just passed delivers that.
“We’re now on a countdown of just months to that law coming in, so good landlords can get ready and bad landlords should clean up their act.”
Alongside the Renters’ Rights Act, an ‘improved’ Housing Health and Safety Rating System, which will better assess health and safety risks in homes and making it more efficient and easier to understand, will also be introduced.
And there are also planned new standards to ensure privately rented properties are warmer and cheaper to run.
Featured Image – Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
Property
Work finally begins on Greater Manchester’s new ‘innovation hub’ in Atom Valley creating 20,000 jobs
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… work has finally begun on the first major development in Atom Valley.
If you’re not familiar with Atom Valley, this new project is set to be a unique innovation ‘cluster’ – plans of which were approved by local leaders all the way back in summer 2022 – with the potential to create up to 20,000 new jobs in Greater Manchester once it’s complete.
Greater Manchester wants Atom Valley to become a ‘springboard’ for new and emerging companies and researchers, giving them the support and the opportunities they need to trial and commercialise their innovations right here in our region.
The new development which ground has now been broken on is a Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC) – which is set to become a thriving hub of innovation.
Today is a big day for GM.
We break ground on a new research centre at Atom Valley – our emerging world-class cluster in advanced materials and manufacturing.
Here, start-ups and emerging companies will be able to pioneer new technologies and scale up their ambitions, all while creating jobs and driving growth across the region in the process.
Located next to the Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale, it will offer 30,000 sq ft of new laboratory space, workshops, and design studios, as well as a lecture theatre, meeting rooms, office space, and flexible workspace for start-ups.
With the ‘right’ support, local leaders say the SMMC will also be a vital link between Atom Valley and the Oxford Road Corridor, ultimately forging a pathway for new companies and projects to expand from the city centre out into the wider city region.
Work has finally begun on Greater Manchester’s new ‘innovation hub’ in Atom Valley / Credit: DLA Architecture
Mayor Andy Burnham says this is the ‘most ambitious development’ in Atom Valley so far
“It will help unleash the untapped potential of the world-leading research taking place across our city region, bridging that crucial gap from invention to bringing those new innovations to the market,” he explained. “And it will create a new hi-tech corridor from the out to the north of Greater Manchester, creating jobs and new opportunities for start-ups to scale up their ambitions.
“This is integrated, well-connected development in action, and a clear sign of our mission to spread the benefits of growth right across our city region.”
The Manc -
27th July 2020 
