More new homes are set to be approved in Stockport today – but none are classed as 'affordable.'

Property developer Views has submitted plans to the council to build nine terraced homes on land on the corner of Stanbank Street and Reuben Street, near Stockport town centre.

It aims to knock down a "disused" garage which has been sitting empty for 18 years to build three-bedroom homes with car parking space and landscaping for the area.

Council officers recommend the plan is approved – but residents have sent letters of objection asking why no affordable homes – properties sold or rented below market rates – are included in the plans.

The council says national planning law allows developers to build schemes without affordable homes because developments with fewer than ten homes are not classed as 'major' applications.

But the row over housing in Stockport runs deep, and some opposition councillors say not enough is being done to build new homes that local residents can afford – a claim disputed by the Lib Dems running the town hall who point out that thousands of new homes are currently under construction or in the pipeline.

Stockport Town Hall (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Meanwhile, Stockport is struggling with a surge in homelessness, with a lack of new homes cited as one of the reasons for this, as well as rising rental prices and people struggling to manage the cost of many essentials such as energy and food.

A report in June revealed that the council expects to spend £1 million on hotels for people facing homelessness this year – a figure that has shot up from £180,000 in 2022.

The plan to build new homes on Stanbank Street and Reuben Street will benefit the town, council officers say, despite the lack of affordable homes in the scheme.

A report on the plan states: 'Economic benefits consist of supporting the efficient use of a previously developed accessible site and contributing to the local economy.

'Social benefits are associated with the contribution to boosting the supply of housing when Stockport currently remains in a position of continued and significant under supply.'

It adds: 'Overall, the provision of housing will make a valuable contribution to the overall supply at a time of continued and significant under supply where there is a requirement to identify sites for new housing development should be considered.

'When the range of considerations are weighed in the overall planning balance there are no adverse impacts which would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.'

Councillors are set to decide the planning application at a town hall meeting on September 25.

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