The Mayor of Greater Manchester is to consult on creating a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to lead the regeneration of Stockport town centre.
According to Stockport Council, the proposed MDC will look to unlock development sites and accelerate the speed of development by resolving potential barriers to site development, such as finance for schemes and planning issues.
Key to the council’s regeneration plans is ‘Town Centre West’, an urban village that would add hundreds of homes to the town centre.
The council also says it is doing ‘all it can’ to maximise the development of new homes on brownfield sites across the borough, with developments like the Former Sorting Office site on the A6 planned to start on site soon.
Mayor Andy Burnham, said: ‘I confirm our intention to consult on the creation of the first Mayoral Development Corporation in Greater Manchester and the first in the UK to focus on a town centre.
‘The Stockport MDC, which will be locally funded, will support the regeneration of Stockport town centre with a new plan for the area around the famous railway arches. It will be supported by the new Stockport Interchange – a pioneering example of how new homes, quality open space can be integrated within new public transport infrastructure.’
Cllr Kate Butler, Stockport Council’s cabinet member for economy and reneration added: ‘We need to bring new homes into Stockport for the future, but are doing all we can to protect our borough’s green spaces. The Mayoral Development Corporation will help drive these developments shaping the future of our town.’
There are currently two Mayoral Development Corporations within London, the London Legacy Development Corporation, formed after the 2012 Olympics, and the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, which was set up in 2015 as the local planning authority and regeneration agency for a 650-hectare site in West London.
Residents and businesses can learn more about the MDC consultation here.