Aurora is one part of Stockport’s £900m investment programme designed to make the town a better place to live, work and visit.
Aurora Stockport transformed an 18-acre derelict residential estate site close to Stockport town centre, next to Junction 1 of the M60, into a modern business park comprising 10 light industrial units ranging from 8,700 sq ft to 47,000 sq ft.
Aurora Stockport was a key development of 10 industrial units ranging in size from 8,650sqft to 46,566sqft providing a total of 145,000 sq ft. The design and build scheme provided a mix of stand-alone, semi-detached and terraced units within a well managed and landscaped environment. With direct access to Junction 1 of the M60 motorway, Aurora Stockport is one of Greater Manchester’s best connected industrial parks.
Each unit was completed with partitioned office space, fitted out to CAT A, and included male, female and disabled toilets and a shower. Each unit has it’s own ancillary parking and a secure service yard with loading via electric sectional up and over doors. The full site is also covered by CCTV. The steel portal frame units are built on concrete pad foundations and a concrete slab. The elevations are a combination of a composite cladding build up, curtain walling and ribbon windows. The project has significant challenges and constraints that include: proximity to the M60; proximity to the River Mersey; proximity to a railway-line; and a high-pressure gas main running diagonally across the site.
Engagement with Network Rail stipulated that a piled solution was not permitted and that vibration should be kept to a minimum. The frequency and vibration of heavy plant is therefore set to low, which also reduces disruption to local residents.
The Environment Agency specified that additional monitoring of groundwater was required due to the on-site aquifer and adjacent River Mersey, ensuring the ground remediation strategy didn’t lead to any cement entering the water course.
Pedestrian access was required to be maintained for the duration of the construction works. Designated pedestrian walkways were set out by fencing lines and signage through the site to maintain safe access.
