Foreword and Introduction
What is your name?
Name
Mr Colin Griffiths
What is your organisation?
Organisation
Satnam Investments Limited Managing Director
Jobs and The Roles of Town and District Centres
Do you have any other comments about jobs, shops and services in Stockport?
Any other Comments
We write on behalf of Satnam Investments Ltd (and other associated landowners) regarding the recently published Issues Paper regarding the Stockport Local Plan. We set these out below in respect of their land interests in Portwood, Stockport (at Knightsbridge facing the Peel Centre and adjacent to the Tesco store).
Stockport Town Centre
1.We support the major focus of retail and services development and investment to be directed to the town centre of Stockport. This is in line with national policy and will underpin the strength of the town centre retail and associated offer.
2.The extent of the town centre as defined should include the Portwood area (Peel Centre and Tesco) as this area now functions as an integral part of the retail and services core of the town. Links between the stores in this area, Mersey Way and the Underbanks are strong. In this way the town centre is able to offer a diverse and interesting range of goods and services.
3.The council should not enter into a phase of "protectionism" regarding developments in the pipeline at present. The plan should be aspirational and seek to make the most of the land and opportunities that lie with this general area. The market will then dictate when and how schemes are developed and brought forward. For too long in the past Stockport Town Centre was constrained by unambitious plans and policies, which saw Stockport Town Centre decline in the face of other centres in the Greater Manchester area. This plan gives the council the opportunity to be bold in its stated aspirations.
4.Town Centres fulfill many roles, for retail, recreation, services and facilities, many of which merge into combined reasons to visit and undertake activities once in the town centre. Stockport should therefore look to broaden the appeal of the town centre to include as wide a range of uses and goods as possible, including motor trade and other "non-core/traditional" retail activities. Portwood is an excellent location for motor trade and other "big box" type retail and recreational formats, whether that be for traditional bulky goods, or town centre retailers seeking retail warehouse formats close to the existing High Street. Stockport should seek to positively embrace the different formats and components within the town centre defined area (including Portwood).
5.Whilst housing is important in town centres, this should be in areas suitable and attractive to the market and in areas where "early wins" can be achieved via development.This should focus on all areas of the market, including apartments, family housing (once adequate support infrastructure has been provided) and retirement/specialist housing accommodation.
6.The rivers running through Stockport Town centre offer excellent potential for recreational walkways and activities, linked to relevant town centre activities along the banks and nearby areas. Development should not "turn its back" on the rivers, but embrace them as part of the development.
We trust these views will be taken into account when the next version of the local plan is produced
Stockport Town Centre
1.We support the major focus of retail and services development and investment to be directed to the town centre of Stockport. This is in line with national policy and will underpin the strength of the town centre retail and associated offer.
2.The extent of the town centre as defined should include the Portwood area (Peel Centre and Tesco) as this area now functions as an integral part of the retail and services core of the town. Links between the stores in this area, Mersey Way and the Underbanks are strong. In this way the town centre is able to offer a diverse and interesting range of goods and services.
3.The council should not enter into a phase of "protectionism" regarding developments in the pipeline at present. The plan should be aspirational and seek to make the most of the land and opportunities that lie with this general area. The market will then dictate when and how schemes are developed and brought forward. For too long in the past Stockport Town Centre was constrained by unambitious plans and policies, which saw Stockport Town Centre decline in the face of other centres in the Greater Manchester area. This plan gives the council the opportunity to be bold in its stated aspirations.
4.Town Centres fulfill many roles, for retail, recreation, services and facilities, many of which merge into combined reasons to visit and undertake activities once in the town centre. Stockport should therefore look to broaden the appeal of the town centre to include as wide a range of uses and goods as possible, including motor trade and other "non-core/traditional" retail activities. Portwood is an excellent location for motor trade and other "big box" type retail and recreational formats, whether that be for traditional bulky goods, or town centre retailers seeking retail warehouse formats close to the existing High Street. Stockport should seek to positively embrace the different formats and components within the town centre defined area (including Portwood).
5.Whilst housing is important in town centres, this should be in areas suitable and attractive to the market and in areas where "early wins" can be achieved via development.This should focus on all areas of the market, including apartments, family housing (once adequate support infrastructure has been provided) and retirement/specialist housing accommodation.
6.The rivers running through Stockport Town centre offer excellent potential for recreational walkways and activities, linked to relevant town centre activities along the banks and nearby areas. Development should not "turn its back" on the rivers, but embrace them as part of the development.
We trust these views will be taken into account when the next version of the local plan is produced