£350 million sustainable neighbourhood gets the green light

A major milestone has been reached for Stockport’s transformation, with planning permission granted for Stockport 8, a new walkable and sustainable neighbourhood in the town centre

The 8-acre site is being delivered by The Stockport 8 LLP – a joint venture between Stockport Council and ECF – a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse.

It is just one in a series of regeneration projects led by Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) as part of ambitious plans to develop land west of the town centre, under the ‘Town Centre West’ (TCW) scheme.

The plans were recommended for approval at Stockport’s central area committee at the end of July and approved at planning committee on Thursday 14^th August, where councillors also signed off Stockport County FC’s proposed expansion of its Edgeley Park stadium.

Located on land either side of King Street West and next to the historic viaduct, the £350 million mixed residential neighbourhood, including affordable properties, will breathe life back into what was once a thriving area under the railway arches, connecting Stockport Interchange with nearby communities, and is just a stone’s throw away from Weir Mill – an impressive heritage landmark development from Capital&Centric overlooking the River Mersey.

The plans will deliver approximately 1,300 new high-quality homes to suit existing residents and new homeowners moving into the Greater Manchester town in the next decade. There will be a mix of residential properties, including build-to-rent and owner-occupier, with a range of sizes to meet the needs of different households.  

The development is also centred around vibrant public spaces where people can meet and relax outdoors, improving the wellbeing of residents, and with a pedestrian-only street running through the centre to encourage interaction.

Stockport 8 sits at the heart of the MDC’s masterplan to transform TCW into the UK’s most sustainable, liveable town centre and is a key element of the wider £1 billion investment currently being delivered.

Detailed planning consent has been granted for Phase 1 and outline consent for the remaining phases. Phase 1 will deliver:

• 435 highly energy efficient homes that are designed to achieve net zero standards
• A mixed residential neighbourhood featuring one, two, and three-bedroom homes as well as accessible and adaptable apartments.
• Substantial public realm improvements, including the creation of a new public square adjacent to the viaduct
• New pedestrian connections through the site and the provision of dedicated cycle lanes along King Street West and Viaduct Street
• Spaces for commercial and community uses at ground floor level that complement the existing town centre offering
• Biodiversity benefits including new trees, green roofs and sustainable urban drainage systems

The first phase is due to start on site in 2026 and complete in 2028, with the next phase expected to commence in 2029.

Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Mark Roberts, said:

“This isn’t about old Stockport or new Stockport – it’s about building a better Stockport for everyone. Stockport 8 is part of the UK’s largest town centre regeneration, giving us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a place that works for families, young people and older generations alike. 

“We’re proud of the work the MDC has done with partners to turn underused brownfield land into a thriving, multi-purpose neighbourhood – delivering new homes, green spaces, jobs, shops and better transport. This is about making Stockport more connected, more vibrant and more sustainable, while staying true to our One Stockport, One Future vision. 

“Our ambition is simple: growth that’s fair, sustainable and lasting – not just bigger buildings, but a stronger, more connected Stockport that people are proud to call home.”

Joe Stockton, development director at ECF, said:

“This is an exciting time for Stockport, as we gear up to kick off one of the largest town centre regeneration projects in the UK.

“It was clear during the community consultation that Stopfordians are fiercely proud of their town, its heritage and its communities. So, we want to stay true to our word by making sure this remains a place for everyone, with homes to suit all ages and circumstances, and a place that celebrates the area’s strong community spirit and rich heritage. People will start to see changes taking place quite quickly now as we get started on phase one”.

The full team behind Stockport 8 is made up of Stockport MDC, ECF, architect shedkm, landscape architect Planit, contractor Vinci, the planning team from Deloitte, project manager Walker Sime, Tace (MEP) and Renaissance for structural and civil engineering, Arup on highways and transport, and engagement specialist Font Comms.

Catherine Chilvers, Stockport MDC Managing Director, said:

“We’re not adopting a one-size-fits-all approach at Stockport 8 LLP, but instead, we are investing in high-quality and energy-efficient housing that offers so much more for people at all stages of life.

“The development sets the bar high for town centre living, creating a considered neighbourhood along with leisure and employment opportunities, while outdoor squares, with a multitude of uses, will allow residents to feel connected and enable families to grow. We’re also really proud to be able to commit to delivering 82 affordable homes in Phase 1.”

Cllr Mike Newman said:

“We’ve got to capitalise on and play our part in the very exciting success of the Greater Manchester region economically, I think we’ve got to share the confidence of our Victorian [ancestors], we look back and these guys went for it, so we’d be foolish not to go for what we can go for, and share their confidence.”

Cllr Anna Charles-Jones praised the accessibility of the development, which includes 59 new homes within Plot 1 that are designed to M4(2) standards – accessible and adaptable dwellings – which are located on ground and first floor level. She said:

“There is an accessibility gap with the number of accessible homes and the number of people disabled… the disability group is one minority group you can become a part of at any point in your life, and the whole point is that these homes can be adapted for anybody so that they can stay in their home.” 

Cllr Rachel Wise acknowledged the concerns that come with building on brownfield sites but highlighted the immense improvements for residents in Stockport. She said:

“One of the difficulties with brownfield first as an approach is it has its own balances you have to make, there are trade-offs involved. I think we have to be realistic about what can be achieved on land that has to be mitigated. I think it’s the right thing to do to bring disused industrial space back into meaningful community use, so having people live there, community units on the ground floor, I think is very strong.  

“It’s not essential we have the best of everything but we should be aspiring to, and I think this application does, making those concessions that ensure that the standard of this is of good quality and that the people who live in this space will be able to enjoy it.”