15th April 2026
Plans to redevelop the former Bredbury Civic Hall site have revealed that the land—valued at around £275,000—was approved for transfer to housing provider Mosscare St Vincent’s Housing Group for a nominal sum, raising questions about value for money and decision-making transparency.
A report presented to Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee on 28 January 2021 outlined the proposed disposal of the long-vacant civic hall site on Agincourt Road.
Site deemed “surplus” after years of vacancy
The council confirmed the building had stood empty for “a significant number of years” due to poor condition and lack of demand. With no viable user identified and major investment required to bring it back into use, the site was declared surplus to requirements as far back as 2015.
Housing scheme for vulnerable residents
The land was identified by MSV, a housing association and member of the Stockport Housing Partnership, for redevelopment into a supported living scheme for people with learning disabilities.
According to the report, the development aims to:
- Provide modern, self-contained accommodation
- Support both shared and independent living models
- Reduce long-term care costs through more efficient staffing
- Improve quality of life and independence for residents
The scheme also includes provision for individuals with complex needs, with design input from Adult Social Care teams.
Why sell for less than market value?
The council’s own valuation estimated the site could fetch around £275,000 on the open market with residential planning permission. However, MSV requested the land at nominal consideration due to the high cost of delivering the specialist scheme—estimated at £1.7 million.
To justify this, the council relied on powers under the Local Government Act 1972 and the General Disposal Consent (England) 2003, which allow land to be sold below market value where there are clear public benefits.
The report argues that the disposal meets those criteria by delivering:
- Social benefits through improved supported living provision
- Financial efficiencies in care delivery
- Long-term sustainability in meeting rising demand
Council retains control through conditions
Despite the low sale price, the council secured safeguards, including:
- 100% nomination rights for residents placed in the scheme
- Restrictions preventing alternative use of the site
- Conditions tied to planning approval
These measures are intended to ensure the land continues to serve its intended public purpose.
Scrutiny and unanswered questions
While the report concludes that the social and financial benefits justify the discounted transfer, it leaves some questions open:
- Why MSV was selected over other potential developers
- Whether the site was openly marketed
- The full financial implications of foregoing a capital receipt
The Scrutiny Committee was invited to comment on the proposals before final Cabinet approval.
The bigger picture
Demand for supported living in Stockport is rising, with over 450 people already in such arrangements. The council says schemes like this are essential to meet future needs while managing costs.
However, the decision to dispose of a publicly owned asset for a nominal sum is likely to remain a point of debate among residents concerned about transparency and value.
