Plans to expand the huge regeneration work in Stockport with thousands more homes have been approved by Andy Burnham.

The Greater Manchester Mayor gave his blessing to triple the area of work in the town centre during an event to mark five years of Stockport's Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) on October 29.

The decision will create a total of 8,000 homes in the town over the next 15 years, double the previous target, and include the re-development of a 280-acre site known as Stockport town centre east.

More shops and food and drinks venues are in the pipeline for the town's future, as well as space for businesses and infrastructure, and new schools and healthcare facilities.

The move follows on from major work that has taken place in recent years as part of a £1bn regeneration of the town centre, creating a new transport interchange, the Stockport Exchange business hub based around the train station, and green spaces such as a new public park.

Mr Burnham, who used devolved powers to set up Stockport MDC in 2019, said: "We're the first that I can think of to come up with a plan for how to regenerate a proud English town."

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham announces the MDC expansion at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery (Image - Alasdair Perry)

He added that the work taking place in Stockport will help "to change many other [towns] across the next decade."

The MDC's interim chair Eamon Boylan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the 8,000 new homes are a mixture of town houses and apartments, and that around 30 percent of these – 2,400 – will be classed as "genuinely affordable."

Mr Boylan admitted that the number of affordable homes "may not be ideally enough," but said the plans have to be "realistic in what we can deliver."

Council leader Mark Hunter said expanding the town's regeneration work is a "crucial step" in Stockport's ongoing transformation.

The town can offer residents the chance to live a short train ride from Manchester city centre but pay "a fraction of the cost" for properties, he explained.

Mr Hunter added: "This expansion will allow us to speed up the delivery of much-needed homes and build on the incredible progress we've already seen.

"We're more confident than ever in our ability to deliver 8,000 new homes and create a Stockport that stands out as a leader in town-centre living, benefiting everyone who lives, works, or visits here."

A map showing the area comprising 'Town Centre East' (Image - Stockport MDC)

Stockport Labour deputy leader Christine Carrigan welcomed the widened regeneration plans, but said they have to make sure local people are not left behind.

Social housing is a major issue in the town, which has a 12-year waiting list and its main social landlord Stockport Homes currently under review after criticism from councillors over issues such as the speed of repairs.

Fears are also growing over the rising cost of renting in Stockport, and whether the town can remain affordable to residents from the area.

CLLR Carrigan told the LDRS: "I see the benefit [of the plans], but I question what benefit the regeneration in Stockport has had for Stopfordians such as the people living in Hollywood Towers and on Castle Street in Edgeley.

"One of the driving forces why I became a councillor is that I do not know if my kids will have the opportunity to stay here. We are effectively being priced out of the borough.

"I'm in favour of more housing, but I will be much more concerned that anything that goes on in my ward is done for my residents rather than to them, so they can feel the benefits of regeneration in the town centre in places such as Brinnington and the estate on Hillgate that feel left behind."

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