A new chair of Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) has been appointed to help drive regeneration in the town centre.

Stockport MDC is a statutory body which has the power to acquire, develop, hold and dispose of land and property - it will be presiding over the building of thousands of new town centre homes, plus shops, green spaces and other services.

Lord Gavin Barwell assumes the role as chair of the MDC; formerly Minister of State for housing and planning at the Department for Communities & Local Government, he promises to bring national experience in housing and regeneration.

It comes not long after the MDC had its legal boundaries expanded with Parliamentary approval, meaning it can now work within 410 acres of town centre space, including underused sites east of the A6 corridor.

Lord Barwell said he was 'delighted' to take on the new role.

"Throughout my career, I've had a real passion for housing and regeneration, and Stockport presents an exceptional opportunity to turn ambitious plans into meaningful change", he said.

Lord Gavin Barwell, new chair of Stockport MDC (Image - Stockport Council)

"What struck me immediately was the strength of the partnership here; the Council, the Board and local political leaders all aligned behind a shared vision for the town's future.

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"I can see clear parallels with my hometown of Croydon - a proud place in its own right, with its own identity, but also part of a wider city region. That sense of place, history and potential really resonated with me.

"My priority is to help turn the vision that has progressed through Parliament into reality, delivering development that benefits not only those within the MDC area but the wider borough as well.

"I'm also eager to continue to raise the profile of Stockport nationally, showcasing it as a genuine trailblazer and an example for other towns to learn from."

Cllr Mark Roberts, leader of Stockport Council, added: "We are delighted to welcome a new Chair at this pivotal moment for Stockport. The expansion of the MDC marks a step‑change in our ambition, and with it, we are accelerating the delivery of new homes, new jobs and the social infrastructure that will benefit every community in our borough.

"From its inception, Stockport MDC has been rooted in cross‑party consensus, and that unity has been one of our greatest strengths — giving investors confidence, building strong partnerships, and enabling bold decisions that keep Stockport at the forefront of UK town centre regeneration."

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