‘Exciting’ project to transform Stockport town centre over next five years is signed off

Plans to transform the face of Stockport town centre over the next five years have officially been signed off by local authorities.

The medium-term plan is aiming to deliver 1,000 new homes by 2023, with at least 250 being built every year until 2026.

Projects also include the redevelopment of Stockport Train Station and progressing the business case for bringing the Metrolink to the town centre.

Regeneration of ‘Town Centre West’ has already delivered the Stockport Exchange office development, as well as transforming the old sorting office into a 117-apartment scheme dubbed The Mailbox. It has been hailed as “the newest, coolest, greenest” urban village in the region by Stockport Council leader Elise Wilson.

Now, Mayor Andy Burnham and leaders from across Greater Manchester have given the go-ahead for the business plan up to 2026.

The projects were approved at the latest meeting of the region’s combined authority.

Planning permission has been granted for the Royal George Village and St Thomas’ Gardens schemes, which are set to bring more than 500 homes to the town centre.

The redevelopment of Weir Mill and a new transport interchange are also in the pipeline.

“This is obviously a new way of approaching town centre regeneration,” Mayor Andy Burnham said.

“Supporting Stockport council, Greater Manchester is bringing what it can to the table, so we do this as a joint endeavour and maximise the support available – but also work to an ambitious masterplan that can deliver a real lasting change for the town.”

“The MDC is going to provide massive regeneration opportunities, but allow us to reshape the town centre in line with our identity and our community values,” Cllr Elise Wilson added.

“It will utilise those iconic brownfield sites, which in many cases have just sat falling into disrepair, and bring them back into life – and by doing so help protect our green belt and green spaces.

“It will support the revival of our high street and create jobs and growth, because we do see the effect that is having beyond the MDC itself.”

She added: “Because the benefits of the MDC will absolutely level-up Stockport and ensure we can see that positive, inclusive growth and new communities – the newest, coolest, greenest neighbourhoods.”

Leaders agreed to approve the MDC business plan for May 2021 to March 2026, as well as the action plan between now and March 2022.

Featured Image – Stockport Council / Stockport MDC