Drivers Jonas hones Stockport town centre strategy

29 May 2009 08:51 Comments (0)

A review of Stockport Council's town centre masterplan by consultants Drivers Jonas recommended prioritising development efforts in five areas.

The selected areas are:

Hillgate
Central Corridor
Petersgate
Knightsbridge
Merseyway/Princes Street

Stockport has been criticised by developers for not doing enough to encourage new projects and the council admits "significant capacity for expansion exists".

The problems were highlighted dramatically when Lend Lease pulled out of the £500m redevelopment of a large part of the town centre. No replacement is likely to be found quickly in the current market.

The best opportunities in the short term are in Bridgefield, Knightsbridge and infill redevelopment in Merseyway, the DJ report found.

Norman Hudson, service director for regeneration and leisure, said: "The Town Centre Masterplan has many successes under its belt over the last five years, with over £80m of public and private investment into the area. Stockport town centre is a magnificent location, with excellent transport links, a highly skilled workforce, an affluent catchment and many varied opportunities for investment."

Simon Bedford, partner at Drivers Jonas, added: "Whilst like many other major towns, private development in Stockport faces challenges, public sector development continues to flourish and the town remains well placed to move forward with the Future Stockport masterplan.

"The five key action areas are all very capable of being brought forward through a combination of public and private resources."