Massive multi-storey car park plan to be decided on next week

The 171-space facility is proposed for what is currently a council car park on Waterloo Road in the town centre. The building would be almost 13m in height with a lift and two pedestrian access points that link to King Street.  

A vehicle drop-off area would be retained close to the Waterloo Road entrance to serve visitors to Stalybridge Clinic.              

The scheme represents an important step in the ambitious scheme to transform the area and support future growth, according to the town hall. The council has used up vacant land and other ground level car parks to create space for new housing, improved roads and public realm upgrades. 

This falls under a £11.1m scheme to give Stalybridge’s western edge a facelift. Four underused plots of land were ‘unlocked’ by town hall bosses last year to facilitate the scheme. 

Another separate application for a new pedestrian footbridge has also been touted, which will make it easier and safer for people to move across the River Tame and reach different parts of the town. 

But the scheme being decided on by Tameside council’s planning panel next week will specifically be the multi-storey car park. It has been designed by TODD Architects to seamlessly mesh with the nearby buildings and the character of Stalybridge, at a good distance from nearby houses. 

The car park will include 151 standard spaces; 13 accessible spaces for people with disabilities; four electric vehicle charging spaces; and motorcycle parking. 

The planning panel will convene at Droylsden’s Guardsman Tony Downes House on June 24 to make a decision on the application.