Stockport sorting office set for residential transformation

Stockport’s former sorting office on the corner of Exchange Street and the A6 looks set to be converted into apartments and commercial space after plans were recommended for approval.

Developers Rowlinson and Housing Capital Trust submitted plans to convert the building, which has been vacant since 2010, in January this year.

The plans, designed by architect Pozzoni, include 117 apartments and 12,000 sq ft of commercial, office, or retail space over the first two floors. According to the architect, the commercial space is designed for “modest food and drink facilities, retail space, offices, and flexible workspaces”.

Food and drink space is proposed for the lower ground floor and office space will be on both the lower ground and ground floor levels.

The housing mix includes 91 one-bedroom apartments of around 540 sq ft each, and 26 two-beds of around 800 sq ft. The homes will be available for private rent, and there will be around 19 apartments per floor.

An open atrium is planned from the first floor upwards which will provide amenity space for residents, with walkways leading to each of the apartments.

Rowlinson is due to act as main contractor for the project and has worked alongside Croft as transport planner and Mosaic Town Planning on the scheme.

The conversion has been recommended for approval at a meeting on Thursday, subject to a Section 106 agreement which includes a provision of £136,500 towards the creation of a new community sports hub at St Thomas’ recreation ground, alongside a contribution of around £32,000 towards children’s play areas.