Stockport prepares to advance LCR station plan

Plots around Hazel Grove and Cheadle Hulme stations have been earmarked for development as part of the council’s ongoing work with the Government-owned land promoter previously known as London & Continental Railways.

In addition, further studies are to be held to examine the potential for redevelopment around two further stations, Bramhall and Rose Hill Marple, in the coming months.

Since last year, LCR has been working with local authorities and its retained consultancy CBRE to explore opportunities to acquire or assemble land with the potential to deliver thousands of homes across the city-region, as Place North West reported in January.

In particular, LCR has been in discussions with Stockport, Trafford and Rochdale councils as part of its work with the Greater Manchester Station Alliance, a partnership comprising LCR, Transport for Greater Manchester, national rail operator Network Rail and relevant rail franchises, intended to deliver regeneration opportunities across the city-region.

The work with Stockport involved identifying which of its 19 railway stations would be best placed for development. A report by the council’s corporate director of place ahead of a meeting next Friday to update on the railway land project highlighted “enormous potential” for commercial or residential development, and/or the consolidation of public services facilities, around all of Stockport’s stations.

Adam Wisher, LCR’s North West regional director, who leads its relationship with the station alliance, told Place North West earlier this year that a total of six underused railway sites across the boroughs of Trafford and Stockport had been identified as of interest.

“We are…looking at potential land acquisitions, whether by us or the relevant local authorities, to help unlock these sites for development,” Wisher said at the time.

He said in a statement today on behalf of the Greater Manchester Station Alliance: “We are in the early stages of working with Stockport Council to help it unlock the potential of the land around its network of stations.

“The opportunities we’ve identified so far are still very much at an early exploration stage and focus on maximising value from public land and the fundamental principle of quality placemaking in Stockport.

“The strategic benefits for the residents of Stockport go a long way to help maximise the potential for sustainable growth at these transport locations. We look forward to consulting with local stakeholders when we have firm proposals to share.”

The council report highlighted the potential identified at Hazel Grove, Cheadle Hulme, Bramhall and Rose Hill Marple, and said: “We are now in a position where we believe that there are viable concept developments to bring forward for two of the stations in the first phase of the portfolio.”

It added: “There are a range of factors that the council must consider in the next stage of analysis to assess whether these are suitable locations for redevelopment and consider the risks of the proposals along with the associated opportunities to local communities at each of the sites.”

Initial discussions have been held with council planning officers to understand the various planning requirements of each of the sites and will be developed further during pre-application talks, the report said.

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is this about trams

By Anonymous

Amongst all the new housing no mention of schools being built. Schools are already full and housing in the main is to accommodate families.

By Jackie Jackson

Perhaps need to consider post-Covid travel requirements vs working from home before developing houses near stations that the inhabitants won’t need to use because they are working from home. Stockport’s stations don’t all have services into Stockport itself

By Niel

I can’t see any purpose in adding to the already congested roads in Marple, indeed the access into and out of Railway road is already a traffic hazard now with access required to the car park but also to the recycling centre, builders merchant coal yard and allotments. This station b4 covid was extremely well used and the car park was full most days which hopefully will pick up again when normality resumes. We don’t need more houses or commercial property in this area

By Claire Randle

We do need better train services and of course, homes for the homeless who are mostly missed out. As long as we are not going to be filled with houses before essential services are put in such as doctors, shops, school and bus facilities. It seems to be the idea to get in as many homes as possible but don’t supply the other needs to go with the houses and extra people.

By Joy Armstrong

There is no place by Rose Hill unless the Council plan to RIP up the allotments?

By Malcolm Greer

These proposals are barking mad! Politicians want us to use public transport to get us into our cities but this half baked strategy takes away the ‘park’ element of ‘park and ride’…

I live in Marple and proposals for Rose Hill, by proxy, merely play into the hands of Network Rail and Northern Rail who have wanted to close this branch line for years. Only last year, thanks to the intervention of the MP and local politicians, was this headed off at the pass. Such a closure would put even more pressure on the parking at Marple station which in ‘normal times’ is full to overflowing by 8.15 am every working day. How this circle would be squared with Rose Hill gone is a massive challenge, which nothing short of a decked, and thus a highly contentious solution, would resolve.

Marple, Marple Bridge, High Lane and Romiley have been disconnected by rail from Stockport, since the Beeching cuts 50 years ago, when the branch line and Stockport Exchange station were cast to the wind. Reinstatement of this service, either by rail or tram, would be a good starting point as opposed to housing which only serves to line the pockets of LCR and limit the commuting options of local residents.

By Grumpy Old Git

Great idea to look at the area around station for housing. The whole point is that you DON’T have to drive! and Rose Hill is close to Marple centre. Every home built here is one less on the Green Belt.

By Peter Black

A lot buzz words and phraseology to hide what is clearly not going to help environmental issues. Closing down access to public transport is wrong. A lost railway service cannot ever be reinstated. The council have no right to claim they have environmental interests at heart. ‘Strategic benefits’ ‘consolidating public services’ ‘maximising value’ mean nothing if all they wish to do is shut down public travel and irreversibly wipe railway access from these towns.

By Ade Cook

No to any proposals at Rose Hill. Have you sat in traffic on Stockport Road in the morning?

By Anon

It would be interesting to see where Stockport plan to develop around Cheadle Hulme station the only available land is greenfield!
Come on Stockport get your brownfield hatters on

By CBA

Marple is a traffic nightmare, so removing the rail route and replacing it with yet more cars is unwise. Also, Marple is overflowing as it is, putting all of the Rose Hill passengers (and their cars) onto Marple would be incredible shortsightedness.

Efforts should instead be focused on how we can finally connect Marple (i.e. Rose Hill) with Stockport, which is what’s been desparately needed for decades.

By Tom

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