A group of Stockport councillors say they've faced 'appalling' treatment from some residents during discussions about future housing plans.

The council is currently progressing its draft local plan, a document which outlines where new homes could be built in future, including on sites at risk of being released from the green belt.

It comes after the council was given higher housebuilding targets following Labour's general election victory in 2024.

A public consultation on the draft local plan was launched in November 2025 and closed in December.

Councillors from the Heald Green Ratepayers said the behaviour of a small number of residents during the consultation was 'totally appalling'.

In a blog post online, the group wrote: 'My colleagues Councillors Anna Charles-Jones and Carole McCann have both received significant harassment.

'This is completely out of order. Attacking them, for what is largely national policy, is deeply unpleasant and pointless, it changes nothing and helps no one.'

Stockport council's draft local plan has divided opinions in the borough, with some residents campaigning to protect green belt sites from being built on in future.

Councillors from the Heald Green Ratepayers, left to right: Anna Charles-Jones; Cllr Carole McCann; Cllr Catherine Stuart (Images - Stockport Council)

The blog post by the Heald Green Ratepayers continued to say: 'It's a shame that those on social media in Heald Green spend so much of their time and energy criticising us, and in this case sharing misinformation about how a local plan works.

'If they had actually talked to us, we could have helped them understand the process.'

Cllr Charles-Jones, leader of the Heald Green Ratepayers, is a wheelchair user and said comments have been made attacking her online with a 'misogynistic undertone'.

"I've had comments about my disability made on Facebook, and someone publicised where I live," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"A lot of it is keyboard warriors and when we go out knocking on doors we get a very different response. With the local plan consultation the usual suspects just get louder.

"It's affecting our work because we're taking time dealing with this, and on a personal level it can significantly impact your mental health."

Councillors from other political groups in Stockport said the level of abuse aimed at elected members has ramped up in the last few years.

Cllr Christine Carrigan, leader of the opposition Labour group, said: "There has definitely been a rise in abuse directed towards councillors in recent years, and I've experienced this myself, though it is largely confined to online spaces.

"This kind of behaviour takes a toll and risks normalising hostility towards people who are simply trying to serve their communities.

"I'm particularly concerned about the impact this could have on those considering getting involved in politics in the future, as it risks putting good people off public service altogether."

Lib Dem Councillor Jilly Julian, who is deputy leader of Stockport council, said: "Sadly, every councillor has experienced an increase in hostile communication in recent years, myself included. We all understand that challenging conversations can be part of being a councillor, but it seems that the level of aggression is only getting worse, and particularly for women.

"It saddens me that good local councillors have to focus so much on resilience, while others deliberately stoke public anger against us for their own gain – without thinking of the consequences for us or our families.

"We all sympathise with residents feeling frustrated as the council has to provide services with more restrictions and less money, but the online and face to face abuse that has become normal is unacceptable.

"Despite the support we have as members, I am worried that this could lead to longer term problems such as putting people off standing for office, who could be a real asset to their communities. That would be a huge shame."

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