Network Space has been appointed by Stockport Council as Development Manager of a new Eco Business Park in Cheadle.

Following a competitive procurement process, Network Space Developments (NSD) is set to lead the commercial scheme at the Bird Hall Lane site. A scheme central to the Town Investment Plan, which will unlock Cheadle’s economic potential and drive clean growth, it has secured £4.4million of Town Fund support.

Set to deliver more than 100,000 sq ft of prime, light industrial space it will be an exemplar for low carbon technologies, achieve low carbon in both construction and operation, and target BREEAM Excellent or Outstanding. 

Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “I’m delighted that a company of NSD’s reputation has been appointed to work with us on this high-profile development for Cheadle. This is an exciting opportunity to provide a new employment zone which will bring new jobs to the area with a core focus on the environment, sustainability and opportunities for clean energy generation. This project will be an important aspect of our Economic Plan and in our work on CAN (Climate Action Now). Working alongside NSD will enable us to pursue an exemplar design in an industrial market which has typically lagged behind other sectors regarding sustainability.”

Catherine Chilvers, Development Director at Network Space Developments, said: “We look forward to forging a successful partnership with Stockport Council and the Cheadle Town Board to bring forward a transformational new scheme for the Borough that is market leading in terms of low carbon and sustainability credentials. The commercial expertise and development experience of NSD, alongside the ambition and commitment of the Council, provides an exciting and unique opportunity to deliver an environmentally exemplar development for the Borough.”

Mary Robinson MP, said: “Through the support of the Government’s Town Fund this exciting project can now be brought forward to deliver a game changing business park to help businesses grow and prosper. The Town Board are looking forward to Network Space Developments bringing forward an imaginative and innovative scheme that will put Cheadle on the map.”

Brian Bradley, Cheadle Town Board Chair, said: “We are really pleased that the Eco Business Park has reached yet another milestone. The appointment of a Development Manager will accelerate the project and ensure that the design and offer are a perfect fit to current and future market demand. The jobs created will be a major boost to the area for generations to come and we can’t wait to see the scheme on site.”

Initial stakeholder engagement and market research has been positive, highlighting strong demand for such space, where there is currently very little provision.

The next steps will be for NSD to develop the initial designs leading up to a planning submission later in the summer.

NSD has created and modernised almost 10 million sq ft of multi-unit industrial workspace across the north of England, attracting a variety of occupiers. Recent projects include the Glass Futures development in St Helens, which will provide the world’s first openly accessible test and trial facility for experiments with different energy sources, raw materials and technologies, to reduce the carbon footprint of glass production.

The company is also on site delivering Broadheath Networkcentre, a 206,000 sq ft multi-let industrial regeneration scheme in Altrincham, which is already 35% let prior to its completion in autumn 2023. An environmentally friendly scheme, there has been a significant reduction in embodied carbon through the construction process through the reuse and recycling of the steel and concrete structures on this brownfield site, alongside operational initiatives such as renewable energy provision.