CAPITAL&CENTRIC has revealed new images of its £60m plans to create a thriving new mixed-use community at Weir Mill in Stockport town centre.
Located alongside the town’s iconic viaduct, Weir Mill started off life as a water powered cotton works in the late 18th century, with the original water wheelhouse and parts of the mill buildings are still standing today.
As part of CAPITAL&CENTRIC’s plans, Weir Mill will deliver cycling parking and new walking and cycling links to the town centre, train station, proposed £120m Stockport Interchange and Trans Pennine way that runs alongside the site.
With overwhelming support shown for the regeneration of Weir Mill during the first stage of consultation, locals are now being asked to have their say on the updated plans.
CAPITAL&CENTRIC is proposing to breathe new life into the derelict site by creating a vibrant new town centre community with 254 one, two and three bed apartments with 87 across the existing mill buildings and 167 in the two new design-led buildings.
The plans will restore the glorious original features of the East Mill and West Mill, preserving their heritage, and have been sensitively designed with a focus on complimenting the fantastic industrial heritage of the site.
Alongside new homes, places for local businesses to locate and open public areas for events and pop ups are planned.
The Weir Mill scheme is part of the £1bn town centre regeneration plans being delivered by Stockport’s Mayoral Development Corporation and is one of the first projects to come forward in the new Town Centre West regeneration zone, which will deliver 3,500 new homes and amenities, 1,000,000 square feet of employment, retail, leisure, health and education space, and create over 5,000 new jobs.
There will be 24,000 sq ft of commercial space including the West Shed, which will become a new indoor space with exposed brick, vaulted arches and sky lights. After holding a ‘Weir Mill Sunday Social’ in partnership with Stockport favourites, Foodie Friday, the developer is also proposing to retain the old cast iron columns of Weavers Shed to create an outdoor riverside venue for street markets, DJ sets and live music events.
Tim Heatley, co-founder of CAPITAL&CENTRIC said: “We had an incredible response to our first consultation. People really want to see Weir Mill restored and loved the idea of opening it back up for local people to enjoy. It doesn’t stop at homes, we’re looking to create a mini-city eco system of cafe bars, delis, coworking spaces, gyms and everything else is between.
“This is the future of our town centres. Dynamic and progressive towns like Stockport will be full of residents rather than shops. Projects like this take pressure off the green belt whilst breathing new life into historic structures. Our post-COVID recovery will be led from outside the city centre and community will be at the heart of it.
“By creating super energy efficient and beautiful buildings, of a quality usually only seen in the city centre, we can raise the bar and others will follow. Weir Mill is the first of many huge investments we are making in towns throughout the Midlands and the North. The cities have got it coming so they’ll all need to raise their game.”
Stockport Council Leader, Councillor Elise Wilson said: “It’s great to see these ambitious plans for Weir Mill taking shape. This site is important in the regeneration of Town Centre West and the wider town centre.
“Involving the local community is really important so I’d encourage local residents to get involved in this second consultation and have their say on the plans”.
