Capital & Centric pushes ahead with £60m Weir Mill vision
The developer has submitted a planning application for the 253-home Stockport scheme, which includes the restoration of the former cotton mill and the construction of two new-build elements.
Capital & Centric has progressed its plans for the site, which it bought from Maryland Securities last May, following two rounds of public consultation.
The reimagined Weir Mill, designed by BDP, will feature a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as 24,000 sq ft of commercial space, including the West Shed, which could house a bar, restaurant or co-working space.
Under the developer’s proposals, a total of 87 of the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments would be housed within the existing East Mill and West Mill buildings and a further 167 would be spread across two new-build blocks.
Following public feedback, Capital & Centric has increased the amount of outdoor space within the development, including balconies on some of the apartments as well as a rooftop terrace.
- The revamped West Shed could be used as a bar, restaurant, or coworking space. Credit: Capital&Centric
- West Courtyard is described by the developer as “a post-Covid green oasis”. Credit: Capital&Centric
In addition, the developer wants to incorporate spaces for independent businesses, such as shops, café-bars or delis, and create a public space looking out across the River Mersey,
The riverside zone, which would include a pontoon, could be used as a venue for street markets, DJ sets and live music events, the developer said.
Weavers Square, an additional outside space for markets and events, would be located underneath the grade two-listed Stockport Viaduct and would feature retained cast-iron columns from the site’s former weavers shed, while West Courtyard, another of the development’s outdoor spaces, is described by Capital & Centric as “a post-Covid green oasis”.
Stockport Council leader Elise Wilson described the project as “a key part” of the wider £1bn regeneration of the town centre.
Adam Higgins, co-founder of Capital & Centric, said: “In the future, dynamic and progressive town centres like Stockport will be full of residents.
“We think Weir Mill will set the standard for town centre communities and take on the cities when it comes to where people choose to live.”
Stockport Council’s planning committee is expected to make a decision on the proposals in spring. The development would take around two years to complete, according to the developer.
Avison Young is the planning consultant for the project.
Capital & Centric bought the site last May
Wow! Amazing
By David
Redevelopment of this area is very welcome, but I feel the design is an opportunity missed.
The viaduct is an iconic structure, yet the adjacent new development appears to be oblivious to its presence. Yes, the Victorians ignored the viaduct and simply let their buildings crash into/under the arches, but surely we can do better. The placing of the new buildings, as well as their form and materiality needs to reflect a creative dialogue with what exists. The 14 storey(?) block in particular is entirely alien to its context.
By Dave McCall
Hope they get the water wheel working again
By Steve
Man Utd kit!
By Anonymous
I agree totally with Dave McCall. The viaduct is fantastic and could really blend with buildings but instead, it looks like the architects weren’t aware it was even there!
By Cheshire boy
incongruous building… but glad the site is being developed.. can only be good news for Stockport.
By manc
It only takes one brave developer to venture forward in Stockport and the rest will follow. It’s a good start to the year for Stockport.
By Chris Robinson
This could be a real landmark development for Stockport and set the standard for other schemes to follow
By Jon P
This is just what Stockport needs! I think it looks fantastic, love the design/ concept and with Capital&Centric behind it we know it’s going to be a top quality project!
By Lucy
The images look wonderful. I would love to live there. Good job I say
By Lockedarn
Great addition to Stockport! Love the idea of using outside space for community use and social events!
By Mike Wray
I don’t see the issue with the viaduct, the palette seems to mesh nicely with the brick, and if anyone has ever been down to that area of town then you can see the viaduct is probably over a kilometre long and will be very visible
By JobbieLover
Great to see what’s on offer is a real mix of amenities and much needed accommodation in Stockport – the design is spot on too, we need more developers prioritising green space
By Anonymous
I think this looks great! Bring it on!!
By OMG
this is exciting for Stockport, I walked past the same developers ‘Kampus’ project (terrible name) in the gay village just before lockdown, the one on Manctopia. I’ve got to say, the planting and architecture were sensational, if they can do similar here, then Stockport will steal a march on the other Greater Manchester towns.
By Ian Hadfield
I can’t wait to see the finished project. great building , glad it’s being used into the design and not knocked down, that building has been an eyesore for 20 years and could make that corner of Stockport look great, Stockport is definitely on the up and I’m sure they will fill the apartments with no problem.
By lynda phillips
Appalling, incongruous – an utter blot on the landscape. When you have a nationally known regional landmark and treat it with the contempt this development displays it should be rejected out of hand. Typical of local councillors and their accolytes to be dribbling at the financial prospects they think this steel and glass slab represents.
By Not a Philistine
It looks like an absolute belter!
By Geoffrey Wilson-Smith
I’m amazed. Those cgi’s look like the future. Architecture should reflect now and they have definitely ticked the box.
By Robert Fuller
They want to allow a building to be constructed that blots out part of one of the largest brick-built structures in Europe? Unbelievable…what does Stockport think its obligations are as a planning authority?
It should be to only allow construction of buildings etc that enhance and complement the area. Stockport has already allowed the construction of what can only be called a monstrosity – the “Red Rock” – which gained the title of the WORST building to be constructed in the country the year it was completed.
Now they’re proposing to allow a building close to the viaduct, ridiculous.
I am in full agreement with the redevelopment of the centre of Stockport but not to obliterate the view of a monument that is the viaduct.
I would tear down the precinct and redevelop that by opening up the river and creating an area that would draw people in with the demise of the shopping area it just might rejuvenate it.
I know money is a key issue and Red Rock can only have been permitted because private money must have funded the infrastructure releasing the local authority from having to find the money.
As planners, financial implications should not cloud or influence your decisions, they should be made in clear conscience as to what improves the area but also what enhances what is there and to date with what Stockport has allowed to be constructed at Red Rock they have failed enormously.
Planners, do your job.
By Kevin Garvey
Long overdue redevelopment of Stockport which I believe is a positive step to regenerate and provide housing and business opportunities.
By Russ Havercroft
They cannot be allowed to build that concrete and steel monstrosity next to the viaduct it must be stopped for the good of the history of this town and the viaduct
By Steve Thorley
An appalling lack of imagination. A big brutal lump overpowering Stockport’s viaduct. There’s loads of derelict space begging to be used for low rise development. Princess Street would be a far better location for this sort of development to help get rid of empty stores and shops.
By Peter Goulden
This looks really good, clean modern and with design touches that are sympathetic to the industrial red brick feel of the in viaduct. There are already much worse and much more overpowering buildings built next to the viaduct not least the Travelodge.
This promises to be possibly the first high quality large modern building in the centre of Stockport and should unquestionably be approved as it sets a really positive benchmark by which future developments should be measured.
By Open minded
“a nationally known regional landmark”. I don’t mean to be rude but….well, it’s not really nationally know, is it?!
By Outsider
Why on earth would you want a tall block of flats obstructing the view of our wonderful grade two-listed viaduct. Is Stockport Council trying to ruin all of Stockport’s history with ugly buildings?
By Anonymous
I think the parts of the project which involve the redevelopment of existing buildings seem to be complementary, are beautiful and show an understanding of context. However, perhaps due to financial aspects of the project, perhaps due to the ego of the architect; perhaps feeling constricted by the redevelopment of those existing buildings, it appears that the architects have attempted to make the new build stand out, ‘make their mark’, compete rather than compliment and in doing so, contrasting with context in a rather vulgar way. There is a lack of local sensitivity and disconnection from those who will live within your designs and from the pre-existing qualities of the viaduct.
Don’t be threatened by what has gone before, I think the relationship is developing but it is not there yet. You don’t have to compete to leave a legacy.
By Joe