The £250 million ‘masterplan’ for a brand-new mixed residential neighbourhood in Stockport has been unveiled.
Coming from Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) and the English Cities Fund (ECF) – which is a joint venture between Homes England, Muse, and Legal & General – the “exciting” development will take shape to the west of the Greater Manchester town’s centre, and is currently known as ‘Stockport 8’.
Located on land either side of King Street West and next to the railway viaduct, the £250 million plans will reconnect the site to nearby neighbourhoods and the town centre, and aim to “bring life back” to what was once a “thriving” residential neighbourhood under the railway arches.
The ‘Stockport 8’ site is central to the wider £1 billion investment that’s currently being delivered across the town centre, and is “at the heart” of the £500 million Stockport MDC masterplan – which is aiming to transform Stockport into the most “sustainable” and “liveable” town centre in the region over the next decade.
The 130-acre Stockport MDC masterplan includes 4,000 new homes, alongside local amenities, green spaces, new workspaces, and “radical” transport improvements.
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The £250m ‘masterplan’ for a new mixed residential neighbourhood in Stockport has been unveiled / Credit: Stockport MDC
Alongside the draft masterplan for ‘Stockport 8’, a number of concept sketches have also been released.
Developers say the concept sketches show the project’s “early thoughts” for the next chapter in the story of Stockport’s revival.
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The ‘masterplan’ then outlines the aim for a high-quality and walkable green neighbourhood that combines all of the best attributes of the existing place with “innovative placemaking ideas”, in a bid to deliver a “vibrant” new part of town for the people of Stockport.
This includes up to 1,200 energy-efficient homes – a mixture of affordable, Build to Rent, and open-market sale properties – new spaces for local businesses and community facilities, green spaces to “promote health and wellbeing”, new walking routes to connect the wider town centre to surrounding communities, and also fully-accessible car parking, car clubs, and cycle parking areas.
Stockport MDC & the English Cities Fund have launched a community conversation on £250m plans to create an exciting new neighbourhood to the west of the town centre.
Plans also feature several chances to celebrate Stockport’s iconic local heritage, including new inclusive public spaces for markets, festivals, and live events.
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“This is one of the largest town centre regeneration projects in the UK,” commented Joe Stockton, who is the Senior Development manager at Muse – which is part of the English Cities Fund – “and it’s only right that the local community is at the heart of what we do.
“We’re excited to find out what local people and businesses want to see in the area to help us shape the plans, and ensure there is something for everyone.
“We want to design a thriving, inclusive neighbourhood that will deliver the needs of the community now, and for generations to come, and that has Stockport’s independent spirit and character at its core.”
Featured Image – Stockport MDC
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Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
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Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd January 2024 
