Stalybridge’s future mapped out

A NEW vision for Stalybridge is on the way if Tameside Council is successful in bidding for funding from the next round of the national Levelling Up Programme.

Up to 434 homes with a development value of £80 million-£100 million, as well as car parking and other public realm schemes could be brought in, while the town’s bus station may be moved close to the train station.

Five sites owned by the authority and a further three under the auspices of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund – the former Rose and Crown pub, what was Pavilion Bar and a car park at the end of Harrop Street – are thought to have been identified as the authority looks to regenerate a town that is seen by many as being overlooked.

As well as that, a large vacant parcel of council-owned land, a small vacant council-owned site on Caroline Street/Bridge Street at the wharf head of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and council-owned car parks on Castle Street, one fronting Castle Street, Back Melbourne Street and the Huddersfield Canal and one off Waterloo Road and King Street have been earmarked.

If developed, they could bring in additional 1,000 residents, spending in the region of £8 million and a multi-storey car park, believed to be opposite the train station, may potentially be developed.

Part of Stalybridge’s vision includes moving the bus station from its current site and a council report revealed it is working on the possibility of creating a transport interchange.

A report states: “The Council has secured £100,000 for development funding from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to progress the Stalybridge Interchange Options Study.

“The Stalybridge Action Plan identified the need to determine the future role of Stalybridge Bus Station and consider the potential for its relocation into a more appropriate location.

“The Council has now commenced work to develop options for a potential new transport interchange (bus and rail) in and around the existing rail station, linked to the wider programme of regeneration in the Town Centre, mindful of potential for future Metrolink/tram-train services.”

Much of this is dependent on securing money from the Levelling Up Programme, which Tameside applied for last year for Stalybridge but was unsuccessful.

However, it will re-apply with more information on the bid.

The report adds: “The indicative proposals show the opportunity to utilise the subject sites as regeneration catalysts, enhancing provision of residential and commercial accommodation
“Feedback suggested that had the project been worked up further in delivery terms the submission would have secured a higher scoring.

“It is now proposed to undertake initial public consultation on the emerging masterplan and scope of opportunity for the town.

“There will be a significant and comprehensive public consultation programme undertaken throughout 2022.”

Tameside Council says it will appoint a multidisciplinary team to support the bid, produce a development prospectus and will undertake public consultations on a masterplan being developed for Stalybridge.

Already, Stalybridge has seen the Stalybridge High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ), funded through a £1,275,000 grant from Historic England and £1,275,000 match funding from the council.

Funding of £360,000 secured from the Brownfield Homes Fund to enable the redevelopment of 24 new apartments at the Stalybridge Police Station site.

The success of Stalybridge Street Fest, which has drawn thousands of visitors to the town to enjoy a wide array of food and drink, family entertainment and live music.

And the fact Stalybridge is now Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture has meant an additional £50,000 to support a programme of cultural activity.

Councillor Oliver Ryan, soon to be former executive member for finance and economic growth, said: “A huge amount of work is already producing success in Stalybridge with the start of the Town of Culture programme of events and the popular Stalybridge Street Fest, and funding secured to regenerate the town centre.

“Our bid for the next round of Levelling Up funding shows we are committed to securing even more funding for Stalybridge and the development of Stalybridge town centre.

“Appointing a multi-disciplinary team, producing a development prospectus and developing a masterplan through public consultations will enhance our bid and the planning around the town’s future.”

Councillor Ged Cooney, the man who may be the council’s next leader, added: “A successful bid would see vacant brownfield land redeveloped, including for new housing that would bring further investment to Stalybridge and boost the local economy.

“We will also explore other regeneration funding opportunities to bring as much investment as possible to Tameside.”

Stalybridge Conservative councillor Doreen Dickinson, however, told The Correspondent she has seen all of this before.

She said: “It is all rehashed from 2018/19, that is what the people of Stalybridge are sick of, there is no action on the ground.

“It won a bid in March 2020. What is happening on the ground in April 2022? Nothing.

“On the police station, money was given in July 2021. What is happening on the ground?

Nothing. In fact, it is in a worse state now than ever.

“There was a £100,000 given for a study on the bus station in 2021. The people of Stalybridge have not heard a word since.

“The Stalybridge Advisory Group was set up in 2018 and it is an insult to those people past and present to pretend this is a new idea.

“Cllr Ryan says we will build on the huge amount of work already done, the only thing in the last three years that has been done that is visible is the Street Fest.

“We have had, to my knowledge, six town plans over the last few years, each costing between £65,000 and £75,000 and all are on a shelf gathering dust.”