Johnnie Johnson to start 50-home scheme in Stockport
STOCKPORT Council is set to complete the sale of the former Peaches Nightclub site on Wellington Street in Stockport town centre, to “Johnnie” Johnson Housing Trust (JJHT).
The social housing landlord will then begin a scheme to redevelop the building and surrounding site to include 50 affordable homes.
It has received backing for the £6m project from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), Heritage Lottery Fund and the Council. The restoration and conversion of the locally-listed former nightclub is the final scheme within the Hillgate Townscape Heritage Initiative.
Councillor Kevin Hogg, executive member for regeneration, at Stockport Council, said: “The Peaches housing development is the final project in the Hillgate Townscape Heritage Initiative programme, which has seen over £13 million investment in the Hillgate Conservation Area.
“We have been working hard, as part of the Stockport Boost initiative, to drive public and private investment into the borough, so I am delighted to see this project on site.”
Steven Normansell, development director of “Johnnie” Johnson Housing Trust, said: “This is a very exciting project which will transform a prominent town centre site.
“The buildings are important from a heritage point of view and the collective input and assistance of many organisations has been critical in bringing this complex project forward. An important part of the town’s history will now be saved and some very desirable homes produced.”
JJHT has begun working on the site this week in order to protect the building from the cold weather. The development is expected to take two years to complete, with the first homes being made available by late summer 2011.
