A £2bn plan has been put forward in the hope of turning Stockport into 'the best place in the whole world'.

Not satisfied with just being 'the new Berlin', leading councillors say they're scaling up their ambition for the borough

The Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), a collaboration between the Liberal Democrat-run local authority and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, has been a key driver behind the revival of the town centre since 2019 with 'a hugely ambitious' £1bn investment programme. This has seen over 1,200 homes delivered and a further 1,300 expected to start construction in 2026.

New office space has been built as well as the award-winning Stockport Interchange – a bus terminal connecting the town centre with a roof top park and a walkway along the River Mersey. By 2040, the council wants to deliver 8,000 new homes, one million square feet of employment space, a new school, and a new health hub.

£2bn is estimated to be needed to deliver this and the MDC was expanded earlier this year to reflect growth in the town centre. Over the next five years, it is hoped 3,500 new homes will be delivered.

Introducing the business plan at a council cabinet meeting on June 23, Cllr Michaela Meikle said the partnership was the local authority's regeneration 'jewel in the crown', adding: "By the time we get to the end of this plan, [Stockport] will be the best in the whole world."

She said the new 8,000 new homes plans included affordable and social houses and the town centre population will triple supporting new jobs and businesses in the area. Plans on the new school are being designed at the moment.

She added: "What's exciting about the school plan is the fact we're again pushing boundaries and redesigning how we look at what we're able to provide in that area."

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A report before councillors said the school would be 'an exemplar, supporting inclusive education, improving outcomes for underserved communities neighbouring the town centre' and help 'transform the town centre into a place where families can establish their lives and thrive'.

There are also plans for a new health hub in the town centre. By 2031, construction of both the new school and the hub is expected to start.

The MDC are also working on progressing the extension of the Metrolink from Didsbury to Stockport. A report before councillors said different authorities 'continue to work together to finalise the preferred route' and move forward a business case for the scheme.

The report added: "Extending Metrolink to Stockport is critical to strengthening sustainable travel options, complementing existing rail connectivity and supporting higher density growth in the town centre. Delivering this investment at pace remains a shared priority for the MDC and its partners."

Cllr Meikle said: "This plan represents a significant scaling up in ambition, in home targets, in the geography of the whole borough. It's going to require new investment and delivery models but we are ready for that."

Stockport Council leader councillor Mark Roberts said the plans were a 'new way of doing things' and 'a better way of doing things potentially', adding: "We should be thinking of Stockport very soon as being the best place in the whole world to live."

People will also soon be asked for their thoughts on a new draft transport policy setting out a vision for the borough until 2042. This includes the Metrolink extension, several possible new train stations, major investment in transport infrastructure, and a revamp of the town's main station.

In an update on the budget, Cllr Roberts said the council was still facing challenges in terms of resources and criticised the government for a lack of funding. His deputy Cllr Jilly Julian said recent funding changes had 'left Stockport in a worse situation than many' with an increase less than half the England average.

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She added: "What might the art of the possible look like if we had sufficient funding? The benefits that would bring for our residents would be absolutely wild because what we do see is that we're very good at making the very best use of every pound we're attracting to Stockport."

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