Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

£500m town centre developers here to do the real business.

Peter Devine
17/10/2007

A £500 million development in the town centre - involving a land mass the size of 20 football pitches - was launched on Monday.

The Bridgefield development is set to transform the centre of the town and give a new lease of life to Prince’s Street, with up to 650,000 sq ft of retail space, 80,000 sq ft of leisure and dining - including a multi-screen cinema - 250 residential apartments and 1,750 car parking spaces.

It is claimed the development will also help create up to 2,000 permanent jobs

The launch was attended by Stockport Council leader, Councillor Dave Goddard, planning officials and the representatives from the authority's preferred developer, Lend Lease.

The event also included an exhibition at 8 Brown Street, which is currently open to members of the public to give their opinion on the massive development.

Keith Redshaw, Lend Lease development director, said the finance was in place to get the scheme on site by 2010, with work set to be completed by 2013.

Mr Redshaw said: "We think that this is so important to show that we have a presence in Stockport. We are here to do business and we mean business.

"It's crucial with a scheme of this size and scope that local people get a chance to view the emerging plans and voice their opinions before we go to the next stage. The feedback we receive will be invaluable and will help shape the final plan as we share our vision for the future of Stockport with as many people as possible."

Coun Goddard said the plan was going to be the largest development for more than half a century adding: "People will be able to look at the drawings, plans and model and see what is happening in the town, and the difference it will make to Stockport."

Councillor Sue Derbyshire, the executive member for regeneration, said: "The Bridgefield scheme is at the heart of the council's masterplan for the town centre, Future Stockport. The development has the potential to change the face of Stockport and make the town centre a real destination in which to live, work and shop. I urge everyone to take a look at the proposals and help influence the future of our town."

The exhibition is open until November 10 between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday, with a late opening until 7pm on Thursdays at 8, Brown Street