Parliament has approved the expansion of Greater Manchester's first Mayoral Development Corporation, Stockport MDC, setting a national precedent for how councils can accelerate town centre regeneration by following Stockport's lead.

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 expansion strengthens Stockport’s ability to accelerate regeneration at scale as part of the UK's largest town centre regeneration programme and unlock the potential of underused sites to the east of the A6 corridor. This area is central to the Council’s long‑term vision for high-quality new homes, good jobs, key social infrastructure, including a new health hub and secondary school, and vibrant public spaces, as set out in the Town Centre East Strategic Regeneration Framework (TCESRF).  

The plan lays out a coordinated approach to creating lively, well‑connected neighbourhoods, revitalised green spaces, enhanced walking and cycling routes, and stronger links between other town centre schemes, including the Underbanks, Marketplace, Redrock and Stockport Interchange. 

Since its creation in 2019, Stockport MDC has acted as a delivery vehicle for transformation across the town centre. 

So far, Stockport MDC has delivered: 

• 1,200 homes either complete or on site, with 1,500 due to start on site in 2026 

• £600 million in private investment 

• 170,000 sq ft of Grade A office space at Stockport Exchange 

Flagship achievements include: 

• The completion of the award‑winning Stockport Interchange, featuring a state-of-the-art transport hub and two‑acre rooftop park – the first of its kind in Europe.

• Continued development of Stockport Exchange, now in phase five, which is the town’s thriving new business district, home to more than 2,000 employees. 

• Transformation of the historic Weir Mill, to be completed in spring by developer Capital&Centric, into a vibrant, mixed‑use neighbourhood with 253 apartments, green spaces and retail/leisure amenities. 

• Delivery of 73 Rent to Buy apartments at Platform with Great Places, and the start of construction at Chestergate - a £41m development bringing more affordable and social rent homes to the town centre 

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.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: "Stockport has been a genuine trailblazer for the Mayoral Development Corporation model. It is showing what can be achieved when you work together with partners and use innovative powers to drive forward transformative projects and revitalise a town centre. With backing from Parliament to expand the MDC, Stockport is continuing to break new ground for urban regeneration. This is a blueprint for towns up and down the country to follow – and it’s why this model is being rolled out to other places across Greater Manchester as well, so more areas can benefit from new homes, jobs, investment, and good growth."