Savings Bank, Hillgate, Stockport
Sockport Listing
In 2004 a borough-wide conservation strategy uncovered shortfalls in Stockport's listed buildings list and outlined the need for a 'local list', to help protect buildings of local interest which failed to merit national designation.
AHP completed phase 3 of this work in 2007. The review covered three committee areas: Tame Valley, including Reddish; Victoria, covering part of central Stockport, and the Heatons, a large suburban area north of the Mersey.
New research and site assessments were used to draft new list descriptions for many listed buildings. The same approach was taken to historic buildings of local interest, the best of which were recommended for national designation. Vulnerable building types such as pubs; places of worship; and industrial buildings (among them hat works and breweries) were covered.
AHP's local list recommendations were then considered by the council’s executive; suggestions for new statutory designation were forwarded to English Heritage. This has resulted in a batch of new listings, including the 1925 Memorial Art Gallery at Grade II*, previously not listed. The Edwardian baroque Town Hall has been upgraded to Grade II* from Grade II. The review also contributed to the Council’s programme of conservation area appraisals and the designation of new conservation areas such as Cale Green.