Stockport offers £250m development opportunity

The Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation has launched a search for a development partner to bring forward a £250m project in the heart of the town centre. The MDC is seeking a long-term joint venture partner for Stockport 8, an eight-acre site that will become a new digitally capable, walkable neighbourhood comprising more than 1,000 new homes. Early-stage plans also include retail, leisure and office space. The site is adjacent to the town’s historic viaduct and the Stockport Interchange – a major redevelopment in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester which started on site in March and will see the creation of a new urban park. Paul Richards, chief executive of Stockport MDC, told EG: “[The jv partner] is someone who shares the same approach that we share to regeneration in Stockport, and values about creating a sustainable, diverse and inclusive community. “The council has invested in Stockport town centre regeneration. The next step is to bring a partner who’s also prepared to invest in that and sees the potential that Stockport has already shown. Regeneration is never done, there is always more to do.” The site forms part of the MDC’s £1bn masterplan for Stockport. It aims to turn Stockport into the most sustainable, liveable town centre in the Greater Manchester region. The plans will see the delivery of up to 4,000 new homes, 1m sq ft of new employment space, major public transport improvements, new green space and local amenities and attractions over the next 15 years. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: “This new site offers an exceptional opportunity to be part of one of the leading regeneration projects right now, not only in Greater Manchester but across the UK. Stockport is already one of our best-connected business locations, with fast transport links to Manchester, Birmingham and London, and the transformative plans being delivered by the MDC and its experienced partners will secure its future as one of the best town centres in the country to live. “The MDC is a powerful tool to bring about rapid change, and is set to add £117m to the local economy every year. I have no doubt that Stockport will be recognised for generations to come as a benchmark for what can be achieved through place-focused, locally led regeneration.” Lord Kerslake, chair of the Stockport MDC, added: “We are not just building new homes and creating new jobs; we are enabling sustainable, long-term inclusive growth for the region. The potential in Stockport is unparalleled.” To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@eg.co.uk or tweet @samanthamcclary or @EGPropertyNews Photos © Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation