Stockport Independent Issue 192

JULY 2025 2 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2025. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com CONTACT JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US 16/07/2025 Town and Country Planning (Development Mangement Procedure) (England) Order 2015 NOTICE UNDER ARTICLE 13 OF APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISION Proposed development at: Rear of Tesco Express, Stockport Road, Cheadle Heath, Stockport, SK3 0PP. Take notice that application is being made by: Tom Ford Architecture Ltd, 22 Doreen Avenue, Congleton, CW12 3JE, on behalf of the applicant. For planning permision to: Erect a new steel-framed building comprising 6 no. industrial units (Use Class E(g) (iii)) within an existing industrial yard. Unit 1-5 access is via A560 and unit 6’s access being via Nursery Lane. Anyone who wishes to make representations about the above application(s) should write, within 21 days of the date of this notice, to Stockport Council, Planning Services, Place Directorate, Stopford House, Piccadilly, Stockport, SK1 3XE. MANCHESTER Airport bosses have announced a multi-million pound investment in Terminal 3 to free-up space and improve the passen- ger experience. The project will remodel the entrance to the terminal, the security hall and the depar- ture lounge – creating extra space for passengers and for new retailers, as well as updating the look and feel of the building. The airport launched its ambitions transformation pro- gramme in 2015. It involves doubling the size of Terminal 2 and closing Terminal 1. Now the airport has set out how it plans to use some of the space in Terminal 1 after it closes to expand the adjoining Terminal 3. Key elements of the invest- ment in Terminal 3 include a new entrance with more space, easier access and bet- ter facilities. It will also get new security equipment and 40 per cent more seating capacity in the departure lounge. New shops and food and drink outlets are planned including a 500-seat bar area with airfield views and A NEW therapy garden with an Alice in Wonder- land theme has officially opened at Stockport’s Stepping Hill Hospital. The garden, designed to offer therapeutic support and a calming environment, is set to benefit patients with a wide range of long-term conditions, including those living with dementia and mobility issues. It has transformed a Water safety warning GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is urg- ing people to stay safe and be careful around openwater. With the recent hot weather and school holidays also approaching, the fire ser- vice is reinforcing its water safetymessage. GMFRS has attended 23 fatal water incidents since April last year, with 65 since April 2020. Billy Fenwick, the service’s head of prevention, said: “It is vitallyimportantthateveryone knows, even strong swimmers, that there are always dangers with openwater. “Cold water shock can kill, and there are often hazards in water that are not seen from the surface. It is not worth dying for a dip. “If you see someone in trouble in the water, remem- ber: ‘Float to Live’. Always call 999 and ask for fire – or the coastguard by sea – if you see someone struggling in water, tell them to float and throw them a float aid if there is one nearby. We will be emphasising these mes- sages throughout the summer and working with local com- munities and schools to get this across.” During the summer, fire crews and our outreach team will be visible in communi- ties and areas where people can be at risk, giving safety advice on the hidden dangers of open water, and what to do should anyone ever find someone, or themselves, in difficulty inwater. Airport unveils terminal revamp an expanded dining area with 200 extra seats Manchester Airport man- aging director Chris Wood- roofe said: “The work we’ve done in Terminal 2 is there for all to see – and we’ve already won the prestigious Prix Ver- sailles award for its architec- ture and design. But until now we haven’t talked about our plans for Terminal 3. “Moving to a two-terminal airport is giving us a great opportunity to use some of the existing Terminal 1 space to increase the footprint of Ter- minal 3. “We’re doing that as well as making some all-round improvements to Terminal 3 – so passengers will enjoy new security technology, more space, more seats, new retail and food and drink, and more. “It’s another exciting step towards delivering an even better experience for our pas- sengers and I can’t wait to see it progress.” Patients are in Wonderland Unveiling: The Alice inWonderland inspired garden has been officially opened once-neglected courtyard into a vibrant and peaceful outdoor space and was funded by a £68,000 grant from the Greener Communities Fund. The fund exists to create and enhance green spaces and improve access to nature for NHS staff and patients. The project was led by Groundwork Greater Man- chester (GGM), with the support of Stockport NHS Charity and the hospital’s therapy staff. Over the past year, local landscapers worked to cre- ate a tranquil space where patients with long-term health conditions, dementia or mobility issues can relax, or engage in structured out- door activities to help them build stamina. The outdoor space will also provide a mental health boost for patients and their loved ones, as well as staff and volunteers. True to the Alice inWonder- land theme, its ‘Mad Hatter’ statue is a nod to Stockport’s rich history in hat making. A statue of Alice sits near a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party table and chairs, with plant pots also based on characters from the book. The garden also includes planters and a small green- house so that patients can take part in planting as part of their therapeutic activity. In keeping with the theme, the opening included a fabu- lous cake based on the Mad Hatter’s hat. Alice herself was also in attendance – as played by Play Specialist Jean- ette Burden. Kate Leadbeater, charity manager at Stockport NHS Charity, said: “This has been such a magical opening event which is a reflection of the magical space which has been created here for our patients.” Karen James chief executive of the Stockport NHS Foun- dation Trust, said: “It was a real pleasure to be part of the opening of this beautiful new garden. The benefits of thera- peutic spaces such as this for patients are well established, and we are very grateful for the generosity and hard work of all the partners involved who have helped to make this possible.” ● Continued from page one David Fairclough, director at Progressive Living, said: “We’re delighted to have secured planning for what will be a flagship scheme for Stockport. “This approval represents a major milestone for a project that’s been six years in the making, and we’re proud to play our part in shaping the next chapter of the town cen- tre’s transformation. “With demolition due to start later this year, we’re looking forward to deliver- ing much-needed new homes in a sustainable, future-fo- cused way.” The scheme is being managed by Picture This, whose approach is cen- tred around community, design quality, and long- term stewardship. Sh a n non C onway, co-founder of Picture This, added: “This marks a sig- nificant step forward for a scheme shaped by extensive local engagement, communi- ty-led principles, and user-fo- cused design.” The development secured Brownfield Housing Fund support from the GreaterMan- chester Combined Authority (GMCA) earlier this year. Developers hope demolition and enabling works can start this year with construction expected to begin next spring. Micheala Meikle, cabinet member for economy, regen- eration and skills at Stock- port Council, said: “This is another important step in transforming Stockport as part of the UK’s biggest town centre regeneration. “These high-quality new homes will bring more people into the heart of the town, sup- porting local businesses and making the most of our new transport links. “With the Mayoral Devel- opment Corporation deliv- ering 8,000 new homes and Metrolink on the horizon, we’re building a town that works for the future – some- where people choose to live, work and put down roots.” Green light for town homes plan