Parliament has approved the expansion of Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), allowing its boundary to cover the entire town centre.
The green light means the MDC – the body that drives Stockport’s town centre regeneration - can take a more coordinated approach to regeneration and accelerate plans already underway to bring new homes, jobs and public spaces to the area.
Over the next 14 years, 8,000 new town centre homes will be built, designed to suit all stages of life, with a mix of affordable homes, private rent, and homes for sale. To support the growing population, investment in essential community facilities will see a new town centre secondary school and a modern health hub.
The expanded area, which has tripled from 130 acres to 410 acres, includes underused sites east of the A6 corridor (Merseyway side). The new boundary will allow the MDC to support the 15‑year plan for the Town Centre East Strategic Regeneration Framework (TCESRF), which sets out the vision for three connected neighbourhoods and a riverside park, along with improved walking and cycling links to connect different parts of the town centre.
Since being set up by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham in 2019, the MDC has helped deliver projects such as the award-winning Stockport Interchange, the transformation of the historic Weir Mill into new homes and places to spend time, and the continued development of the Stockport Exchange business district. More affordable homes are being built through schemes such as Chestergate and Platform, delivered by developer Great Places.
The next major project will be Stockport 8, a new neighbourhood near the viaduct that will bring around 1,300 homes to the site alongside lively public squares to bring communities together.
Cllr Mark Roberts, Leader of Stockport Council
This is a landmark moment for Stockport as we break the mould with our ambitious regeneration plans. We’ve been moving faster than prior legislation allowed, which underscores the scale of our vision for the town.
Parliamentary approval to expand the MDC is a clear vote of confidence in what we’ve achieved so far and in our proven approach to town centre regeneration. Momentum is only building, with others now looking to our model as a blueprint for what successful town centre regeneration can achieve.
With the boundary covering the whole town centre, we can accelerate delivery of new homes, jobs and opportunities that benefit residents across the borough. We’re incredibly proud of what’s been achieved already, and even prouder that we’re only just getting started. We’re Unstoppable Stockport.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham
Stockport has been a genuine trailblazer for the Mayoral Development Corporation model. It is showing what can be achieved when you work together with partners and use innovative powers to drive forward transformative projects and revitalise a town centre.
With backing from Parliament to expand the MDC, Stockport is continuing to break new ground for urban regeneration. This is a blueprint for towns up and down the country to follow – and it’s why this model is being rolled out to other places across Greater Manchester as well, so more areas can benefit from new homes, jobs, investment, and good growth.
