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.
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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.
“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
Northern council could become first in England to charge second home owners double council tax
Emily Sergeant
Those who own second homes in North Yorkshire could become the first in England to face a double council tax bill.
In what already sounds like a pretty groundbreaking move, North Yorkshire County Council is considering the introduction of a 100% council tax premium on second properties in the hugely-popular region, ITV reports.
It comes after local people, especially young families, expressed concerns that they are being priced-out of the housing market.
In a report to the Council’s executive, which is set to be discussed at a meeting today (Tuesday 20 September), it was explained that second home ownership within the North Yorkshire area is “significant” and is “recognised to have a negative impact” in terms of the supply of homes available in order to meet local housing need.
The report explained that the proposed new council tax levy would apply to properties that are left empty for more than a year.
It’s believed it could generate £14 million in revenue, the report said.
North Yorkshire County Council is considering introducing a 100% council tax premium / Credit: Toa Heftiba (via Unsplash)
The report being discussed in today’s meeting follows a recommendation by the Rural Commission last year to place a charge on second homes to finance affordable housing, and comes after people in the North Yorkshire costal tourist town of Whitby voted in favour of new measures to reduce the number of homes being used for holiday accommodation.
It’s not the first time double council tax has been proposed in the region though, as a decision about a second homes premium was once postponed after some Council members said it could encourage council tax avoidance.
Others also said the measure would be difficult to implement – but it seems the Council is hoping it’ll be better received this time round.
It would become the first county in England to introduce the charge / Credit: Benjamin Elliot (via Unsplash)
Similar measures introduced in Wales have been cited for reasoning as to how it could work.
“The second homes figures in Wales suggest that, regardless of any avoidance issues that might remain within the system, there should still be sufficient incentive for the council to consider a council tax premium on second homes in order to help address the issues caused by second home ownership within the area,” the report reads.
Could it actually become a reality then? And could this be the start of second home council tax premiums in other counties? If approved, the measure would be introduced in North Yorkshire from April 2024.
First images released of huge redevelopment plans for Great Northern Warehouse
Emily Sergeant
The first images of plans to redevelop the iconic Great Northern Warehouse complex in Manchester city centre have been released.
After Manchester City Council’s Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) laid out ambitions back in 2017 for the historic Grade II-listed leisure complex to be established as a “cultural, business and residential” destination for the future, the owners of Great Northern have unveiled their plans to bring the building “back to vibrant life”.
Owners Trilogy Real Estate and Peterson want to “make best use of the six-acre site”.
They have set out plans for this to be done by improving Great Northern’s pedestrian connections to the rest of the city, removing the “unsightly” 1990s additions of car park ramps and the ‘leisure box’ which houses the cinema, and looking to add medium-scale residential buildings at the south of the site.
The development proposals include a redesign of the public square in front of the Warehouse to create a green oasis for the city with spaces designed for “work, rest and play”.
Upper floors would also be turned into high-quality office space that “respects and upgrades” the existing architecture and structure.
Owners of Great Northern have unveiled plans to bring the Grade II-listed building “back to vibrant life” / Credit: Trilogy Real Estate
New pedestrian routes through the site would also be opened to improve connectivity to the wider city centre and create more spaces for community activity and greenery
Retention, refurbishment, and access improvements to Deansgate Mews would also be made, with space for local independent businesses to flourish, on top of refurbishment and updates to the Deansgate Terrace, with more offices on the upper floors above retail and leisure.
That’s not all either, as redevelopment plans also include 750 apartments across two taller buildings and a lower-scale podium building.
Each building will have shared amenity space, outside terraces, and access to green space.
Trilogy Real Estate and Peterson want to “make best use of the six-acre site” / Credit: Trilogy Real EstateRedevelopment plans “respect and upgrade” the existing architecture and structure / Credit: Trilogy Real Estate
Speaking on the unveiling of the redevelopment plans, Robert Wolstenholme – Founder & CEO of Trilogy Real Estate – said: “I’m hugely proud of our local team who have worked so hard to get us to the point where we are able talk to the public about the potential for this much-loved site in Central Manchester.
“Our proposals put community, sustainability and local business at the heart of plans for The Great Northern.
“We look forward to progressing the scheme to achieve the best outcome for the city.”
Mancs and the local community are now invited to attend one of four public consultation events on the plans whicb are being held at The Village Hall on Deansgate Mews today, Saturday 10, Thursday 15, and Sunday 18 September.
Trilogy is looking to submit plans to Manchester City Council later in the year, and you can find out more about them here.
The Manc -
27th July 2020 
