People in Marple have said demolishing a busy car park to make way for new homes would be a 'massive loss' for the town.

Land at Chadwick Street is currently being used as a car park but the site has been eyed for new housing, with Stockport council's draft local plan proposing at least 174 new homes in the area.

It comes as the council is under pressure to find land for new development, with 25,000 new homes planned across the borough up to 2042, including on some sites which could be released from the green belt.

But people in Marple said the loss of the car park could be damaging to the town's businesses.

Resident John Johnson, 68, said he often walks around Marple, but explained that parking spaces are important for the town's visitors and shops.

"A lot of people who park here work in the town centre," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

"Where are people going to park if they get rid of it? I think losing it would impact traders, especially at Christmas.

"We have markets on weekends but people might not want to come if they can't park. If they take this away I think it's going to be a massive loss for the town.

"I can't understand why they want to get rid of it, it's a godsend for the community."

Stockport's draft local plan is a document outlining the future of housing and development in the borough.

Stockport town hall (Image - Nub News)

Lib Dem council leader Mark Roberts wrote in his foreword that the council 'had to accept the government's mandate and authority to direct us to deliver a part of the national housing target it has set.'

Stockport was given higher housebuilding targets after Labour's general election victory in 2024.

Cllr Roberts added in his foreword: 'The fight for what is right for our communities continues. I will continue to make the argument to government that their housing targets are too high for our area, and that their disregard for green belt is not shared by our community.'

Jane Nketiah is the owner of Barkley and Fetch in Marple town centre, a boutique dog outfitters.

She explained that while new homes could bring more customers, parking could become an issue without the spaces at Chadwick Street.

Jane Nketiah, owner of boutique dog outfitters Barley and Fetch (Image - Declan Carey LDRS)

"We have massive concerns because people already struggle to park.

"On a Saturday people come [to the shop] and say how it takes ages to park. I don't know anyone who's in favour of it [removing the car park], it's crazy."

Gemma McBride, owner of fashion boutique Suburban Muse, added: "It could go both ways with more customers [if new homes are built], but parking is already strained in Marple as it is.

"This car park is always full every day of the week. I get they need to build houses but not at the cost of everything else.

"We don't have a tram in Marple, we can't get a train to Stockport, so people rely on their cars here."

Gemma McBride, owner of the Suburban Muse fashion boutique (Image - Declan Carey LDRS)

On the other side of Stockport Road, a new community hub and leisure facility is being built in Marple by Memorial Park, which is set to open in autumn 2026.

The plans for Marple Community Hub included a car park with 57 standard bays, seven accessible bays, and eight spaces for police use.

Coun Steve Gribbon represents the Marple North ward and said elected members across the town are 'absolutely listening' to feedback from residents about Chadwick Street car park.

He encouraged people to share their views in Stockport council's consultation for the draft local plan.

He told the LDRS: "We encourage everyone to make sure that every comment, concern and suggestion is put onto the official consultation so it can be dealt with accordingly.

"It is one of the biggest car parks in the area, if not the biggest. Added to that of course we have the new Community Hub which is being built where we will be welcoming extra footfall.

"So because of that as councillors we are making officers aware of any suggestions we have regarding the proposals that are taking place.

"But of course we're aware of it, and the last thing we want is any detriment to residents or our local businesses and those who come to visit the area.

"We want people to be able to park safely so that's why we are encouraging people to have their say down the correct forums and make their voices heard to the relevant [council] officers."

Stockport council's consultation on the draft local plan runs until December 21.