Latest stage of Weir Mill regeneration plans revealed

Developer 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.

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 complementing 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.

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 in 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.

Weir Mill east elevation

“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, Cllr 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.”

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions the developer is not holding a public event, however, there are other ways people can join the conversation. A newsletter has been sent to nearly 5,000 households and businesses in the area with a tear off questionnair. People can also complete the questionnaire online at www.weirmill.com

There is an online Q&A at 6pm on Wednesday, November 18, and details of how to register are available on the website.

To request a hard copy newsletter or ask a question, call 0800 689 1095, or email weir@capitalandcentric.com, or write to Freepost HAVE YOUR SAY.

The second consultation closes on Wednesday, December 2. Feedback will be used to help shape the proposals and planning application that will be submitted to Stockport Council following the public consultation.

Weir Mill Weavers Square

Located alongside the town’s iconic viaduct, Weir Mill started life as a water-powered cotton works in the late 18th century, with the original water wheelhouse and parts of the mill buildings 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.

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, one million square feet of employment, retail, leisure, health and education space, and create more than 5,000 new jobs.