Town hall bosses in Stockport begrudgingly signed off the latest stage of a major 24,253-home scheme.

The Local Plan has been devised by Stockport council following the direction of the government. It will set out development across the borough until 2042 and form as a guide to investors the prime land to be built on.

The Local Plan includes thousands of new homes as well as new employment opportunities with a mix of brownfield and greenbelt development.

Between 2026 and 2031, the borough said it has found land on which to build 1,347 homes a year. This will increase to 2,137 homes a year between 2031 and 2036 before dropping to 1,139 homes a year for the final five years.

During the latest town hall meeting, council chiefs made it clear they were not happy with the plan they approved, but agreed it was necessary so they could retain control over future development in Stockport.

Stockport's previous Local Plan from 2024 focused on protecting greenbelt land – a 'brownfield-first approach'. The local authority had been told this wasn't plausible after housing targets were increased by the government.

Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning threatened to take over Stockport's planning department if the local authority does not deliver a plan soon.

Housing boss Cllr Jake Austin said: "Having a local plan does not remove our difficult choices. But not having one removes our ability to make them.

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"So whilst we will continue to challenge aspects of the national planning system that we believe are wrong for places like Stockport, I also believe that we have a responsibility to protect local decision making and move this plan forward for further consultation. Or we risk further intervention from the government."

The latest meeting of the council's cabinet approved Regulation 19 of the Local Plan, which means it will go out to further public consultation later this month. Once residents and local organisations have had their say, the local authority will then submit the plan to the government for consideration with hopes for final approval by the end of 2027.

A number of town hall chiefs at the meeting on Tuesday night (September 15) felt 'emotional' about pushing forward with a Local Plan they didn't agree with.

Council leader Mark Roberts said: "I'm immensely disappointed that the local plan that was a truly brownfield first Local Plan, a piece of work that I was incredibly proud of, has been left unable to proceed. This is because of national legislation.

"Reluctantly, with real challenge within my own ward, I do believe this Regulation 19 is sound and it has my support to move to the next round of consultation. Does that mean I like what is in it? No, absolutely not.

"Does it mean I will fight at every possible government level for them to listen to local people's views and the importance they put on valued green space? No it doesn't, and I will continue pushing that."

Local plans have to be put in place by councils and in line with UK Government planning rules and housing targets.