KING STREET WEST, STOCKPORT
KING STREET WEST
RESIDENTIAL Project
CLIENT NAME Great Places Housing Group
SCHEME NAME King Street West, Stockport
VALUE £14.5m
START March 2023
COMPLETION October 2024
PARTNERS Bowker Sadler Architects, Markhams EA, Shape Structural Engineers
PROJECT DETAILS Design & Build of 73 new Rent to Buy Apartments over 4/5 storeys comprising: 43 two-bed apartments, 30 one-bed apartments with associated communal space, green roof gardens and courtyard parking.
OVERVIEW
Hargreaves Contracting Ltd was appointed as principal contractor for the delivery of a flagship affordable housing development at King Street West in Greater Manchester, on behalf of Great Places Housing Association. The £14.5 million scheme involved the transformation of a prominent roadside site into 73 high-quality apartments, contributing significantly to the local authority’s affordable housing targets.
FORMER SITE USE
The site was formerly occupied by a car wash and car sales forecourt, which had become underutilised in recent years. Its strategic location and accessibility made it an ideal candidate for residential redevelopment. The existing structures were safely demolished, and the site was fully remediated to prepare for construction.
PROJECT SCOPE AND DESIGN
The project comprises 73 one- and two-bedroom apartments designed to meet modern standards of energy efficiency, accessibility, and space. Working closely with Bowker Sadler Architects, the design focused on creating a contemporary, visually appealing building that integrates with the surrounding urban context.
Key features include:
Secure, landscaped courtyards and roof gardens.
Residents’ cycle storage and amenity spaces
Sustainable construction methods aligned with future homes standards
High-performance building fabric and renewable energy technologies
Shape Engineering developed a structural solution that supported an efficient build sequence and maximised usable floor area across the tight urban footprint.
SOCIAL VALUE & COMMUNITY BENEFITS
Hargreaves Contracting worked in close partnership with Great Places to embed social value across all stages of the project:
Employment and Training
10 apprenticeships created across trade and technical disciplines
Work experience placements for local students and jobseekers
2 Permanent full time roles created.
Local Spend
Over 70% of the construction value spent with Greater Manchester-based suppliers and subcontractors
Community Engagement
Regular site updates and engagement events with neighbouring residents
Educational site tours delivered to local schools promoting careers in construction
School site visits to promote construction employment and skills.
Green Infrastructure
Introduction of soft roof landscaping, urban trees, and pollinator-friendly wild flower planting
Improved pedestrian access and visual improvement of a key route into the town centrE
CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS
Tight Urban Site - Implemented just-in-time deliveries, offsite manufacturing, and strict traffic management to reduce disruption.
Ground Conditions - Encountered buried infrastructure, steep topography and contamination – mitigated with revised foundation, remediation strategy and retaining walls in consultation with Shape Engineering.
Stakeholder Coordination - Dedicated community liaison appointed to manage expectations, maintain communication and support positive neighbour relations throughout.
OUTCOMECompleted in July 2025, the King Street West project successfully delivered 73 new affordable homes in a high-demand area. The scheme has revitalised a previously underused site and created a well-integrated, sustainable residential development.
Great Places Housing Association commended the Hargreaves team for their collaborative approach, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering social value. The development now stands as a model of modern, community-focused housing delivery in Greater Manchester.
