Greater Manchester sets out ambitions for new MDCs following Stockport successes

Greater Manchester is looking to establish two additional Mayoral Development Corporations (MDCs) to support major regeneration projects in the city-region.

Plans have been set out for a new Northern Gateway MDC to bring forward development of 1.2 million square metres of employment space and 2,750 new homes as part of athe Atom Valley advanced manufacturing cluster in Bury and Rochdale. The wider Atom Valley region could create 20,000 new jobs, 7,000 homes and boost the Greater Manchester economy by £300 million per year.

Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, local leaders in Trafford are also backing the creation of an MDC for its Trafford Wharfside development. Plans are part of the wider Western Gateway project in the area around Old Trafford. The project which has the potential to be the UK’s biggest sports-led regeneration project since the London 2012 Olympics, and could enable 48,000 new jobs, 17,000 new homes, and a £7.3 billion boost to the economy.

MDCs are a unique tool that Greater Manchester can use to bring together local partners and drive forward our ambitions to build new homes, bring jobs and investment, and support economic growth. They can take on broad powers including land acquisition, planning and infrastructure functions.

The proposals for Northern Gateway MDC follow the success of Stockport MDC, which has since 2019 attracted £600 million in private investment and delivered 1,200 new homes, 170,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, and new transport infrastructure (pictured) in the Town Centre West regeneration area.

Plans are now being drawn up to expand the Stockport MDC across the east of the town centre and accelerate delivery of additional affordable and sustainable homes.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

“The Northern Gateway offers an unparalleled opportunity to drive investment and turbocharge innovation here in Greater Manchester.

“We want to make sure we seize that opportunity and capture the benefits for communities across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, and beyond – and that’s what a new Mayoral Development Corporation can do.

“Stockport has shown that when we bring together partners and put our devolved powers to work, we can bring new homes, jobs, and infrastructure to our town centres.

“It’s a model that is now set to be expanded across the town – and one that we believe can also help us deliver the biggest sports-led regeneration project since London 2012 in Old Trafford.”