Property round-up: Cityheart; Peel Hall; Windsor House; Ashton Market; Savills; Pendle Drive Aldi
Mansell Building Solutions has been appointed by Oak Construction Projects to support in the delivery of 62 apartments for Cityheart, as part of the first phase of its Stopford Park development in Stockport.
Mansell will deliver full-frame, finishes and fire-stopping solutions reinforcing its expertise in modern methods of construction (MMC) and light gauge steel framing (LGSF).
Providing their services on Bosden – the first of three residential buildings planned for the site – it will bring certainty to the build process through its collaborative approach and offsite expertise.
Located on the corner of Greek Street and Wellington Road, Stopford Park is a new neighbourhood which will see the regeneration of the site of the former Stockport College.
Designed by Day Architectural and structurally engineered by renaissance, Bosden will feature a striking brick-clad façade with storey-height windows, aluminium feature cladding at the main entrance, and finned decorative brickwork panels at higher levels.
Mansell’s remit includes the delivery of the full-frame structure, and also all finishes including dry-lining, partitioning, ceilings and plastering as well as the fire-stopping solution to provide compliant compartmentation and protection of the structural frame, ensuring a streamlined and efficient construction process.
The building’s ground and first floors will feature an angled façade, requiring the integration of hot-rolled steel into the Metframe system – an innovative solution that allows for both architectural intent and structural efficiency. This will be delivered in partnership with voelstalpine Metsec.
Angela Mansell, managing director of Mansell Building Solutions, said: “We’re excited to once again bring our MMC expertise to Stockport on such a transformative scheme.
“Bosden is set to be the largest purpose-built apartment development in the town. We’re excited to be part of the delivery team as our approach provides certainty in time, quality, and cost, which will help deliver projects like this faster and more efficiently.”
Cityheart’s Stopford Park scheme is part of the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation’s (MDC) ambitious regeneration of Town Centre West. The wider project, valued at £120m, will deliver 442 homes, co-working space, public realm, and civic spaces, contributing to Stockport’s evolution as a thriving urban hub.
Construction commenced earlier this year with both Bosden and a second residential building Torkington now well under way. Mansell Building Solutions expects to complete its work on Bosden within approximately nine months.
::
CGI of Peel Hall street scene
Enabling works for more than 400 new homes at Peel Hall in Warrington is under way, with the first homes set to be available from summer 2025.
Delivered in partnership by Vistry Group and Torus, Peel Hall is an exciting, transformational development that will provide up to 1,200 homes in total.
The first phase will deliver 404 homes, with 236 (58%) being affordable housing split between affordable rent and shared ownership. Market homes will be sold by the Linden Homes and Bovis Homes brands, part of Vistry Group.
Alongside the homes, this phase will introduce key community amenities, including new changing facilities to replace the existing Radley Common Community Centre for those using the football pitches that are part of the plan.
Multiple play areas, allotments, and an extensive footpath network for the local community to enjoy will also be created.
More than £1.3m will be invested into local transport infrastructure, improving public transport options for residents. The development will deliver several road improvements, significantly improving traffic flow and traffic levels in the surrounding area.
Gemma Hardy, managing director of Vistry Merseyside & Cheshire West, said: “Peel Hall is a transformational development that will provide hundreds of mixed-tenure homes, extensive community facilities and services, and acres of new green open space.”
Managing director of Torus Developments, Chris Bowen, said: “This is one of the largest affordable housing projects in the North West and will provide high quality new homes for affordable rent and low cost ownership which will help people get a foot on the property ladder.”
::
Windsor House
Windsor House, a Grade II-listed healthcare building in Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter, is up for sale.
The 180-year-old former dwelling house is located on the corner of Upper Parliament Street and Windsor Street, opposite Hope Street.
It is currently being used as an operational NHS day hospital with a residential provision, which will soon be relocated to Mossley Hill.
Overlooking Liverpool Cathedral, the 11,894 sq ft property is set across four floors including a basement and offers a series of kitchen areas, breakout rooms, private offices, residential dormitories, and fitness suite, as well as an enclosed grass courtyard to the side and a gated car park to the rear.
Tim Garnett, head of agency at Keppie Massie, said: “Interest has been positive, reflecting the rare opportunity to acquire a stunning city centre property with an incredible amount of local amenity and numerous options for redevelopment.
“It is located on the main arterial route from south Liverpool, in close proximity to universities, theatres, cathedrals, the Knowledge Quarter and the Baltic Triangle, which opens up a range of possibilities for its future owners.”
::
Angela Rayner visits Ashton Market
Deputy Prime Minister and Ashton-under-Lyne MP, Angela Rayner, joined Tameside Council, The LK Group, The Casey Group, Planit IE, and Buttress Architects for a recent tour of Ashton’s Market Square.
Work is currently under way on the regeneration of Ashton’s famous market square, with the transformative project being funded by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and Tameside Council.
The LK Group is project managing the overall scheme for Tameside Council, with Planit IE acting as the lead designer. Their sub-consultants include Buttress Architects, Civic Engineers, Hoare Lea and Simon Fenton Partnership. There are two main contractors on site with TMBC’s Engineers working on the new public realm, while The Casey Group is responsible for constructing the large canopy structure over new kiosks, which are being supplied by Whitecrate.
Angela Rayner met with the development team to see the progress that’s being made, as well as hear how the planned regeneration of Ashton’s Market Square will breathe new life into the town.
The plans will see a large canopy that will provide a designated undercover area for markets, providing space for 90 market stalls, as well as a new outdoor facility to house 10 retail food and beverage kiosks.
The space has also been designed to become a hub for events and cultural activities, with new gardens, play areas and a civic space all planned.
Cllr Andrew McLaren, deputy leader (growth, housing and homelessness), said: “Ashton town centre is undergoing a significant transformation that will see it become a thriving hub for living, culture, employment, and services.
“The regeneration of Ashton Market Square is a central part of this vision, and a vital step in creating a more vibrant, modern town centre that better meets the needs of our local community. The new space will feature an improved market offering and enhance the town’s ability to host more cultural and community events.”
The redevelopment of Ashton’s Market Square and outdoor market is phase one of a wider public realm strategy covering the whole of Ashton’s town centre.
::
Porta Tapas
The Manchester suburb of Didsbury’s growth has continued with the completion of two new lettings by international real estate advisor Savills.
At 756 Wilmslow Road, Savills acted for Hyrst Garth Estate on the leasing of its two-storey premises to UK-based homeware and fashion retailer Oliver Bonas, which has signed a ten-year agreement on approximately 5,000 sq ft of space.
At nearby 41/43 Lapwing Lane, Savills acted for the landlord, Lapwing Investments, to lease the site to Porta Tapas, the fourth opening for brothers Joe and Ben Wright’s Spanish-inspired restaurant in the North West.
The building comprises a ground floor and basement, totalling 2,400 sq ft and Porta Tapas has agreed a new 10-year lease.
Situated five miles from Manchester city centre, Didsbury is home to a mix of popular independent and regional businesses with the suburb offering a village feel that attracts a community-minded population while still being within easy reach of the amenities in town.
Jonathan Netley, retail director at Savills Manchester, said: “These two lettings are just the latest in a series of businesses wanting to have a presence in Didsbury. It offers the perfect combination of an established local community and easy access into Manchester city centre.
“These latest lettings are testament to its growing attraction and both offer appealing locations for attracting footfall.”
::
Aldi store site visit
Sefton Council leader, Cllr Marion Atkinson, and Bootle Labour MP, Peter Dowd, joined Aldi’s property director, Bryn Richards, to view progress on its new store at Pendle Drive.
Accompanied by councillors from Sefton’s Ford and St Oswald wards, Liz Dowd, Joe Johnson, Paulette Lappin, Ian Moncur, and Carla Thomas and Mike Zanin, from CTM Management, they saw how site clearance for the £7m store had been completed.
Due to be completed by October, the new Aldi store will have 123 car parking spaces including eight accessible and eight parent and child spaces.
Four spaces will be electric vehicle charging points with underground infrastructure to add a further 20 in the future.
There will also be seven covered, short-stay bicycle parking spaces for customers, and long stay bicycle parking spaces for staff, located in the store’s warehouse.
As part of the development, there will be new pedestrian links to Pendle Drive and Gorsey Lane and landscaping to improve the site’s appearance. There will also be new road junctions on Pendle Drive and a new vehicular access road through the site.
Sefton Council granted planning approval for the new store in February, but Aldi has already progressed apace with demolitions and site clearance works and is ready to commence the construction of the store building.
The council also required Aldi to put in place an Employment Skills and Development Plan, to maximise employment and training opportunities for local people as part of the scheme.
Cllr Atkinson said: “I was pleased to see the progress that had been made ahead of construction on the store, which will provide a new, affordable shopping outlet for local residents as well as opportunities for training and good quality employment for local people.”
Bryn Richards said: “We’d like to thank the councillors for taking the time to visit us at Pendle Drive. Their visit reflects our collaboration with Sefton Council throughout the planning process, which has enabled us to deliver our significant investment into Litherland.”
Peter Dowd MP said: “This development provides opportunities for local people to gain secure and well paid employment, while giving local shoppers a place to buy affordable food and other goods.”
