Stockport submits plans for Bridgefield site

STOCKPORT Council has taken the first steps to bring forward major new proposals for the Bridgefield site in the town.

It has submitted outline plans for a mixed-use development including retail, a cinema, a 100-bed hotel and a multi-storey car park.

The seven-acre site, off Great Egerton St – adjacent to Debenhams, has been a key priority for the council.

A planning document, prepared by Drivers Jonas Deloitte, says the scheme will have 107,000 sq ft of retail and a 10-screen, 34,000 sq ft cinema. The area currently consists of a car park and six retail units which will be demolished.

Ambitious £500m plans for the site were drawn up by Lend Lease but abandoned fours years ago when the market went sour.

Earlier this year Stockport Council acquired the long leasehold on the Debenhams building and car park, and has also approved buying up more buildings on the site to create a new public square linking the leisure scheme to Mersey Way Shopping Centre.

Talks have also taken place with Cineworld to see if the operator is willing to open a new multiscreen complex at the site following the closure of its unit at Grand Central, which was bought by the council for £15m from administrators last year with a view to triggering a major office-led development.

Councillor Iain Roberts, executive member for economic development and regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “We think the Bridgefield site is ideal for a new leisure and retail development, and will complement the already very successful Merseyway Shopping Centre next door.

“Following the outcome of the planning application, we will look to work with potential occupiers as well as prospective funders and developers to progress the plans.”

The application should be considered by the planning committee by the end of November.