Huge business park in close to the M60 will soon become a reality

A new £4.4m business centre will be built in Stockport in a move described as a "landmark" moment for the borough.

Cheadle Eco Business Park was given the green light by councillors on April 25 and is expected to create up to 200 jobs in the area once built, providing a "huge boost" to the local economy.

The application from Network Space Developments (NSD) will see the 115,000 sq ft development created on site at Bird Hall Lane, close to the M60 between Stockport and Cheadle.

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The move is another step forward for the town's transformation into one of Greater Manchester's most exciting places to live and work.

Paul Richards, director of development and regeneration at Stockport council, said: “We can now take forward this exciting opportunity to create a groundbreaking, sustainable new employment zone which will not only have a positive impact on the environment, but will also mean more jobs, which will be a huge boost to the local economy."

John Taylor, a Heatons North councillor in Stockport, backed the plans and highlighted that it will "help create a lot of local jobs" at the site which has historically been used for industrial purposes.

David Meller, the leader of Stockport Labour Group and a councillor representing Cheadle East and Cheadle Hulme North, said it was a "landmark moment" for the borough.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "This innovative scheme will shape Stockport's commitment to addressing climate change while delivering the jobs of the future that, I expect, will benefit local people in Cheadle, Cheadle Heath and Cheadle Hulme."

Cheadle Eco Business Park will be made of six light industrial units, and appeal to a mix of businesses from the green technology sector and commercial occupiers.

It aims to meet net zero carbon buildings standards, becoming a low carbon and sustainable business hub for the future.

It will replace 'older, inefficient industrial buildings' on the site and include new tree planting and landscaping, as well as an outdoor wellbeing space, electric vehicle charging, and cycling amenities.

Catherine Chilvers, development director at Network Space Developments, said: “We’re delighted to be leading such an environmentally exemplar development, pursuing low carbon technologies and building materials to target net zero carbon in both construction and operation.

"Alongside the use of air source heat pumps and solar PVs, the design will help to minimise occupier energy demand and usage.

"We are actively exploring the use of structural timber frames and we look forward to shortly commencing the detailed design process.”

Stockport has a changing landscape which has seen new transport infrastructure built in the town centre, and planning applications for new business hubs approved.

This includes a recent decision to grant planning permission for a new data centre in Reddish, which is set to be the largest data centre in northern England.

Council chiefs are aiming to create hundreds of new jobs in the town to attract people to move into new homes being built around the borough, most of which are apartments on previously developed land.