Investar collapsed last year so the site was put up for sale. Credit: via planning documents

Green light for £65m Royal George Village  

Stockport Council has approved Investar Property Group’s plans to redevelop part of the town’s college campus into a mixed-use scheme featuring 442 apartments.

The developer submitted plans to transform the three-acre Greek Street site, in May.  

The site consists of six buildings at present, two of which would be retained under Investar’s proposals, designed by studio DAY Architectural. 

The 115,000 sq ft Torkington Building would be converted into 122 apartments, while the 60,000 sq ft Lyme Centre would be demolished and replaced with a 16-storey apartment block comprising 258 units.

The grade-two listed Greek Street Building – the former Metropolitan Girls’ School – would be converted into collaborative co-working space for local businesses. 

Royal George Village Investar 2

The first phase of the scheme will see the Torkington Building converted into apartments

In addition, a new-build six-storey ‘gateway’ building would be constructed providing 62 apartments at the corner of Greek Street and Royal George Street. 

Meanwhile, the Hexagon lecture hall, located close to the grade two-listed War Memorial Art Gallery, would be demolished and replaced with public realm and civic space. 

In addition, the 16,000 sq ft University Centre building would also be demolished to provide an internal, south-facing courtyard to create additional public open space and private gardens for residents. 

Investar purchased the site from Stockport College in April for an undisclosed sum. The college’s decision to sell the site was part of its strategy to revamp its education offer after receiving an ‘inadequate’ rating from schools regulator Ofsted last year. Seddon has now started work on the college’s own redevelopment project

Following planning approval, Investar aims to start work on site next summer with the conversion of the Torkington Building.

James Alderson, head of development at Investar, said: “We are hoping that Royal George Village will be transformational and have a major positive impact on the fast-developing town of Stockport.

“We have worked hard to deliver an inter-generational scheme that is befitting of the new Stockport and one that supports the strong strategic aspirations of the council.”

Cllr Elise Wilson, leader of Stockport Council, said: “Royal George Village will be a fantastic asset to the town centre, creating a new community and providing good quality, much-needed homes in a key location, which will complement our ambitious plans for the town centre.”

The project team includes Buro Happold Engineering, Rider Levett Bucknall, WSP, Layer.studio, Gray Scanlan Hill, Wardell Armstrong, Salford Archaeology and FPCR Environment and Design.

JMW Solicitors is providing legal advice and Cushman & Wakefield is providing viability and funding advice.

Royal George Village Investar 

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