Stockport town centre’s regeneration has taken another step forward with the appointment of Lord Gavin Barwell as the new Chair of Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC).
The MDC is the body leading the regeneration of Stockport town centre, which is the largest town centre regeneration programme in the UK, creating new homes, jobs, green spaces and better public facilities. Its recent boundary expansion – the first of its kind approved in the UK – means even more areas of the town centre can now benefit from investment and improvement.
Lord Barwell, former Minister of State for Housing & Planning at the Department for Communities & Local Government, brings national experience in housing and regeneration and will help steer the next phase. His role will support the delivery of more high‑quality homes, new community facilities, and vibrant neighbourhoods for residents.
The MDC expansion means:
- More choice of homes in the town centre, including affordable homes.
- New public spaces and community facilities, including a secondary school and modern health hub.
- Continued momentum in transforming underused sites and making Stockport an even better place to live, work and visit.
Council Leader Cllr Mark Roberts said:
We are delighted to welcome a new Chair at this pivotal moment for Stockport. The expansion of the MDC marks a step‑change in our ambition, and with it, we are accelerating the delivery of new homes, new jobs and the social infrastructure that will benefit every community in our borough.
From its inception, Stockport MDC has been rooted in cross‑party consensus, and that unity has been one of our greatest strengths — giving investors confidence, building strong partnerships, and enabling bold decisions that keep Stockport at the forefront of UK town centre regeneration.
Lord Barwell said:
I’m delighted to take on the role of Chair at Stockport MDC. Throughout my career, I’ve had a real passion for housing and regeneration, and Stockport presents an exceptional opportunity to turn ambitious plans into meaningful change. What struck me immediately was the strength of the partnership here; the Council, the Board and local political leaders all aligned behind a shared vision for the town’s future.
I can see clear parallels with my hometown of Croydon - a proud place in its own right, with its own identity, but also part of a wider city region. That sense of place, history and potential really resonated with me.
My priority is to help turn the vision that has progressed through Parliament into reality, delivering development that benefits not only those within the MDC area but the wider borough as well. I’m also eager to continue to raise the profile of Stockport nationally, showcasing it as a genuine trailblazer and an example for other towns to learn from.
