A £100m blueprint for the construction of hundreds of 'much-needed' homes near the Stockport and Cheshire border has been unveiled. Property developer Bloor Homes has lodged the plans with Stockport council, aiming to build 675 homes on land in Heald Green East, nestled between the A34 and A555.
The proposal includes the creation of a new local hub offering 'essential services' for future inhabitants, such as a health clinic. Provision has also been made for a potential park and ride facility and train station, which company chiefs say would need to be led by Network Rail or Transport for Greater Manchester.
These plans come at a time when Stockport is grappling with the need to construct more homes across the borough. Last year, the government stated that Stockport must erect 1,906 homes annually to meet demand, almost twice the previous requirement of 1,097.
Tom Loomes, senior planning manager at Bloor Homes, emphasised the "urgent need" for more housing in the borough and highlighted the importance of enabling existing families and residents to plan their futures in Stockport. He added: "We are committed to ensuring that local people have the opportunity to stay in Stockport, in a well-designed home and community that meets their needs."
The designs for the Heald Green East development incorporate over 20 acres of green space, complemented by parks, gardens, play areas, and community growing spaces.
The proposed development also includes routes for walking, cycling and running, with connections to local roads as well as public transport, including nearby Heald Green and Cheadle Hulme train stations. The plans feature a mix of family properties, downsizer homes, and specialist accommodation such as bungalows.
The developer, Bloor Homes, stated that these would be built with sustainability in mind, incorporating energy-efficient features like solar panels and non-gas boilers. If approved, the masterplan would result in an investment of over £100m into the local area, creating more than 500 construction jobs in total.
In addition, there are further plans in the area for new developments. An expansion of Stockport's Woodford Garden Village could lead to the construction of over 500 new homes in the borough, while plans are underway in Cheshire to build a new village east of Handforth, comprising 1,500 homes.
Stockport council has also outlined plans to build 8,000 homes in the town centre over the next 15 years, as part of the regeneration work led by the town hall and Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation.
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