A first for Stockport as Parliament approves tripling of its Development Corporation Boundary

Stockport has achieved a national first after Parliament approved the expansion of Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), tripling its boundary to cover the entire town centre.

The Parliamentary approval, driven by Stockport Council and backed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, marks the first time a Mayoral Development Corporation has been legally granted a boundary extension anywhere in the UK, setting a new national precedent for town centre regeneration and cementing Stockport’s model as a blueprint that other places can follow.

The green light is a major milestone in Stockport’s £1bn town centre regeneration journey – forecast to be £2bn by 2040 – turbocharged through the expanded powers and scale of Stockport MDC. The extension adds 280 acres to the existing 130‑acre footprint, creating a new 410‑acre boundary.

As part of this new chapter, Stockport Council has doubled its ambition for town centre living, raising its housing target from 4,000 to 8,000 new homes by 2040, ensuring a wider choice of homes for people at every stage of life.

The next major project on the horizon is Stockport 8, an eight‑acre neighbourhood beside the historic viaduct on King Street West. Developed with ECF and supported by the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund, it will bring 1,300 sustainable homes supported by new public squares and community spaces.

Stockport continues to earn national acclaim, from being crowned Sunday Times Best Place to Live in the North West, to recognition as one of the UK’s best places to retire, buy a first home, visit or enjoy independent shopping.

Cllr Mark Roberts, Leader of Stockport Council, said:

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 the 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.