Stockport: Neighbours’ fury as building work gets underway on new town centre apartments
By Nick Statham
Furious residents say their lives have been 'upended' after work to build two new apartment blocks on land next to their homes got under way.
A pair of adjoining four-storey buildings – housing 73 'affordable' one and two-bed flats – are to be built on the former King Street West car wash site, in Stockport town centre.
The scheme – brought forward by housing association Great Places – was signed off by the council last year, and falls within the Town Centre West regeneration zone.
While councillors welcomed plans for more affordable housing in the heart of the town, to date it has not been such a happy story for people living next to the site.
Residents at neighbouring Hilton Court – also owned and managed by Great Places – say they were not 'meaningfully consulted' during the planning process and are now suffering ongoing disruption to their daily lives.
Their complaints include 'stealth' boundary changes, removing boundary walls and shrubbery – including wildlife habitat – and closing off a footpath for six weeks.
Great Places chiefs say they are 'disappointed' with the feedback from residents and are 'doing everything we can to work towards rebuilding relationship'.
The housing association insists that the scheme has been 'considerately designed to fit with the surrounding area' and the building is a suitable size for the site.
But while bosses say they are committed to liaising with neighbours to 'address any further concerns', residents remain unhappy with how the early stages of construction are impacting their lives.
Jo Sellars, who has lived at Hilton Court for 20 years, says residents' lives have been 'completely disrupted' and they face an 'uphill battle' to get their voices heard.
"I don't think we have been treated very well, we have not been consulted and our lives have been upended by this new build scheme," says Jo, an IT consultant.
"While they say they are customer focused it's a 'done to' attitude. We quite often get our questions ignored.
"I don't think we have been treated very well, we have not been consulted and our lives have been upended by this new build scheme."
Jo claims residents – a mix of leaseholders and renters – have had their lives 'completely disrupted'.
"We feel less secure on the scheme and also the building work in extending into what should be our living area, our car park. But instead we have builders and fencing and stuff coming on to our car park to do work."
One major gripe concerns 'stealth' boundary changes, which residents claim have not been through the correct process and could lead to disputes.
Jo says residents discovered from architect's diagrams that Hilton Court's boundary is due to shrink.
"There's a brick wall that residents have always said defines the boundary to Hilton Court," she adds. "That wall is missing and a new boundary of some sort is being created that would take 1.5 metres from the Hilton Court boundary."
She fears leaseholders could find it difficult to sell their shared equity in the future as a result.
Jo also questions the level of scrutiny from the council.
"I personally don't think they have done enough due diligence," she adds. "I don't know much about planning applications, but how does a planning application like this get through?
"Isn't there a basic check that the size of the development fits on the plot of land – not just how many properties go into the sky, but the width, as well?
"I can't see anywhere that was discussed about the need to move the boundary. They are saying 'this wall will come down and we will build another wall – but it doesn't say that won't be in the same place."
There has been further dismay after residents were given less than 24 hours notice that the footpath from Hilton Court to Gradwell Street will close for up to six weeks to allow a solid timber security fence to be installed.
While Jo had complained about the safety of the previous metal fencing, she says residents understood the footpath would be closed for a maximum of four weeks.
"This latest phase absolutely turns Hilton Court into a building site – this is a lived in residential scheme and should never have been part of the building site," she said.
"We are going through the pain of this, it's not just another build – the same group or organisation owns both plots of land. In order to do that new build they are having to take the boundary away from Hilton Court.
"It's an uphill battle for residents compared to what organisations can do. I think that's why Great Places have taken this high-handed attitude [they hope] that eventually we will tire because we have so many barriers to jump over to get anywhere."
What Great Places says
Helen Spencer, executive director of growth at Great Places says the King Street West development has been 'carefully and considerately designed to fit with the surrounding area, including Hilton Court, and ensure sufficient distance between buildings so that the new building does not overlook its neighbours'.
"The building was reduced in size from the initial plans, and we've worked closely with the local authority to ensure that the height and size of the building are suitable for the site."
She adds that the footpath has been closed earlier than intended after concers were raised by residents – but a commitment remains to re-open it as soon as possible.
"Health and safety is our top priority and the temporary boundary around the site will remain in place until work is complete", she said. "There will not be a long-term impact upon the facilities at Hilton Court."
She continued: "Construction work of any kind can be disruptive, and we have discussed that with residents of Hilton Court at face-to-face meetings. Noise and vibration monitoring, and plans to reduce dust are in place, and the site is registered with the Considerate Constructors scheme.
"We're disappointed to hear the feedback from residents and we're doing everything we can to work towards rebuilding relationships. We held two community meetings in May and the offer is open for further meetings.
"Residents have direct contact routes into Great Places and our Contractor. We are committed to liaising with neighbours of the site throughout the build and to discussing how we can address any further concerns."
Stockport Council has been approached for comment.
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