Bridgefield plans approved
Plans for a £65m leisure and retail development on the Bridgefield site in Stockport town centre have been approved.
Outline permission has been granted for the construction of a high quality development including a cinema, food and drink outlets, hotel, shops and a 250-space car park.
The 2.8 hectare plot, on the site of the Bridgefield car park next to Debenhams and Merseyway Shopping Centre, has been earmarked for development by Stockport Council for a number of years. The council submitted the planning application following a consultation with local businesses and residents in August 2012.
Bridgefield was previously central to a major redevelopment project based on the Future Stockport Town Centre masterplan.
Cllr Iain Roberts, executive member for economic development and regeneration at Stockport Council, said: "The high street is changing and we have to make sure our town centre is a great place to spend time, offering leisure activities as well as shopping.
"The council has seen an opportunity here and we're not afraid to take action. We now see it as our job to take the initiative and make the site as attractive as possible to potential developers.
"Developing Bridgefield into a fantastic leisure destination will make Stockport more attractive to visitors, create jobs for local people and boost the local economy."
The council will now look to work with potential occupiers as well as prospective funders and developers to progress the plans.
Drivers Jonas Deloitte, Building Design Partnership, Lunson Mitchenall and Gardiner & Theobald and Atkins supported Stockport Council on the development of the scheme by and the outline planning process.
