Stockport's historic landmarks are in danger of being dwarfed by new offices in the town centre, Historic England has warned.

The public body has raised fears that a plan to build a ten-storey office building next to Stockport Viaduct would 'hem in' the iconic structure, and 'diminish' its appearance in the town's skyline.

It also said proposals for new six-storey office buildings would 'entirely block the view' of Stockport Town Hall for people arriving at the town's railway station. Stockport council is planning to build the offices as part of phases five to eight of a £145 million development known as Stockport Exchange, which is being delivered in partnership with Muse Developments.

Phases one to four of the scheme have already been completed, creating new office space, a 1,000 space multi-storey car park, as well as a hotel, bars, and shops in an area of the town centre near the train station.

Some of the existing offices in the area have been occupied by firms such as Stagecoach and MusicMagpie. But Historic England had advised the council to limit new office buildings to three storeys due to the need to 'conserve the prominence and formal, public nature of the Town Hall.'

Stockport Exchange (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Feedback from the public body states that the proposals for Stockport Exchange will be 'harmful to both the setting of the town hall and viaduct, and to the character of the town.'

It stated that it is not opposed to the development but that efforts should be made to minimise the potential harm of the planned offices, by reducing their height and positioning them so the town hall and viaduct can still be viewed.

Historic England added: "Having buildings of six storeys facing directly onto Wellington Street will harm the significance of the town hall by impacting its setting and blocking key views of it when looking towards and from the conservation area and from the War Memorial Art Gallery.

"Phase 8 of the proposed development will be of a maximum 10 storeys. The location of this block on raised ground directly adjacent to the Grade II* listed railway viaduct will cause harm to the significance of the heritage asset by its proximity and large scale in relation to the historic structure that was formerly the most dominant in the town.

"The construction of a building of this height at this location will hem in the viaduct and diminish its appearance."

Stockport Viaduct (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Stockport Viaduct is a major landmark in the town, and a symbol of its importance as a former industrial centre. According to Historic England, the building was opened in 1840 by GW Buck for Manchester and Birmingham Railway, built in brick and stone.

It is said to have around 11 million bricks across its body and 28 arches, sitting 111ft high above the town.

According to the council, Stockport town hall is a 'key landmark' in the borough and stands out as 'the epitome of Edwardian elegance and ambition' in the area.

The building was opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales on July 7, 1908.

Stockport town hall (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Work on Stockport Exchange is taking place alongside major redevelopment around the town, which has seen a new transport interchange open, and the construction of new apartment blocks and a new public park.

Plans for the remaining phases of Stockport Exchange are due to be decided by councillors at a planning committee meeting at the town hall on Thursday. The council's planning officers have recommended the scheme be granted planning permission.

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