The massive plan which has divided Stockport
By Declan Carey - Local Democracy Reporter 26th Nov 2025
By Declan Carey - Local Democracy Reporter 26th Nov 2025
From Woodford to Brinnington, a major decision on Stockport's future is looming – and has divided opinions in the borough.
The draft Local Plan, a document setting out the future of development and house building, is out for consultation after years of preparation and some delays.
It outlines plans for at least 25,000 new homes up to 2042, with an affordable housing target of 50 per cent.
Some of the homes are set to be built on green belt land.
Once approved, the Local Plan will help guide planning decisions over the next two decades, including where new homes will be built and the fate of some of Stockport's green spaces.
In the foreword to the draft Local Plan, council leader Mark Roberts said the government had 'imposed much higher housing targets' on Stockport after the July 2024 general election, adding that the council has been 'powerless' to stop land being eyed for development as part of the 'grey belt' in the process.
In High Lane on one side of the borough up to 1,000 homes are planned, but residents have warned the village 'just can't cope' with the potential for such an increase in people and cars by the busy A6 Buxton Road.
Neighbourhoods closer to the town centre are home to much of Stockport's social housing, and around 9,000 households and their family members are on the housing register across the borough.
Recent deprivation data has also shined a light on some of the stark differences in Stockport, which has the most deprived and least deprived neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester in Lancashire Hill and Bramhall.
The consultation on Stockport's draft Local Plan is open until December 21, where residents can share what matters to them and help shape the borough's future.
With so much at stake, the Local Democracy Reporting Service asked the different political sides represented on Stockport council for their views on the issue.
Stockport council is led by the Lib Dems under a minority administation of 30 councillors. Labour is the biggest opposition group, with 19 councillors.
Bredbury and Woodley Independent group
Cllr Joe Barratt, leader of the Bredbury and Woodley Independent group, referred to comments he made at a recent council meeting.
He said: "There are two sites allocated for development in my ward, Bredbury and Woodley. It was something that stood out to me when I was looking at the allocation of sites, that the two sites in my ward were designated under that terminology of grey belt.
"Much was made during the general election around what that would comprise of, and I believe part of that definition at the time as car parks and waste land.
"The first response to a point around the Local Plan is how do we reconcile that description of the grey belt when it comes to plots of land in our borough that I think most residents would describe in many ways as being quite green and pleasant.
"It does create this sense of a charter for unchecked developed in many of our green spaces in a green borough like Stockport, which is a concern, acknowledging the fact that we need to build new houses, affordable houses, and it's a case of where we build them and how we build them in the right places.
"The definition of the grey belt goes well above and beyond what I think the government originally expressed and indicated to the electorate during the general election."
Conservatives
Conservative Councillor Peter Crossen said: "For too long Stockport has been without an up-to-date plan, leaving residents vulnerable to speculative developments putting unnecessary pressure on our green-belt.
"I am afraid this Liberal Democrat council's Local Plan for Stockport completely fails to strike a fair and sustainable balance between meeting housing needs and protecting the character of our communities.
"In places like Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme and Woodford, the Liberal Democrat's plan would sacrifice the very green spaces that make Stockport special.
"Across the borough, areas like this are vital for wellbeing, nature, and the unique identities of our towns and villages. Once they're gone, they're gone forever. Development should focus on brownfield and previously used land, not carve up our countryside.
"This plan opens the door to developers in areas already under strain from traffic, school shortages, GP access and drainage issues, relying only on vague promises of future funding. Development must be infrastructure-led, with homes following the services people depend on.
"Stockport needs a plan that delivers housing fairly, protects our green belt, ensuring sustainable, balanced growth built on fairness and developer accountability."
Edgeley Community Association
The Edgeley Community Association said in a statement: "The Edgeley Community Association (ECA) welcomes the publication of the draft Stockport Local Plan and recognises it as a thoughtful and balanced document addressing many of the challenges facing our borough.
"We believe the plan strikes an effective balance between the critical need for new housing and the longstanding commitment to protecting the green belt.
"While we support a brownfield-first approach, it is evident that brownfield sites alone cannot deliver the number of homes Stockport needs. In this context, some carefully managed green belt development will be necessary to ensure future generations have access to affordable, quality housing.
"We are encouraged by the plan's stronger measures to regulate houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Edgeley has experienced the impact of unplanned concentrations of HMOs for many years, and improved oversight is essential. While the Local Plan sets the direction, the ECA will continue to push for an article 4 direction ahead of adoption to provide early and effective protection for our community.
"We also welcome commitments to strengthen section 106 arrangements, ensuring developers contribute fairly to local infrastructure, open spaces and community amenities. Residents rightly expect that new development brings investment in the services that support a thriving neighbourhood.
"Finally, we support the inclusion of a strategy for district centres and are pleased to see Castle Street highlighted. However, we will be seeking clarification on proposals to repurpose Castle Street and what this may mean for Edgeley's district centre to ensure the changes strengthen, rather than weaken, our local economy and community.
"The ECA looks forward to working constructively with Stockport council as the plan progresses."
Green Party
"Stockport Green Party said in a statement: "We are in a housing crisis. Stockport's Green Party group recognises the need for more places for people to live and thrive in.
"We need affordable housing, designed to address climate change, biodiversity loss and adaptation to extreme weather. Flooding is a major risk. These are themes in the draft local plan.
"The draft plan identifies large rural or semi-rural areas for development.
"Understandably, this is generating opposition. However, green spaces in urban areas are vital too. We are pleased that the importance of Reddish Vale, the green lung which our residents love, is recognised in the draft. It is good that allotment sites are protected too.
"However, we are unhappy that the community Peace Garden next to the Magnet isn't also protected.
"Apart from housing, strong local businesses and infrastructure are important. More housing increases demand for jobs, schools, health services, outdoor leisure facilities and shops. New bus routes will be needed.
"Public consultation is vital. Once the final version of the plan is adopted, it will guide how Stockport changes until 2042. Home building is developer led, though, so it will be up to planning officers and council committees to make sure that developers' plans match Stockport's needs."
Independent Ratepayers Group
The Independent Ratepayers Group said in a statement: "Our initial reaction is one of concern about the scale of housing (1,720 additional dwellings) proposed in and around Heald Green, however we recognise that this has been significantly reduced from the 4,700 originally included in the 2017 GMSF [greater manchester spatial framework].
"We understand the need for new homes, and that government has imposed a doubled housing target for Stockport, but it's about getting the balance right.
"It's been a long journey to this point and over the last decade or so, residents have been clear and consistent in their message: infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure. Without the right investment in roads, schools, healthcare, and other essential services, large scale development risks overwhelming our community.
"We are concerned about the potential loss of playing fields, which are vital for biodiversity, climate resilience, and physical and mental well-being. Should development on the Cheadle and Gatley Football Club's playing fields prove unavoidable, we will press for equivalent or improved facilities locally.
"We very much welcome the enhanced protection for the Heald Green Village Hall field, which was left in perpetuity to our community, and we will continue to make representations to ensure housing numbers are properly justified and that green spaces remain protected for the long-term benefit of our community."
Labour
A Stockport Labour Group spokesperson said: "Stockport Labour welcomes the publication of the draft Local Plan as an important and long-awaited step forward for our borough. While this plan has taken too long to reach this stage, we are pleased that the process is finally moving forward.
"Having an up-to-date Local Plan will also give us far greater control over planning decisions in our borough, so that development happens in the right places and reflects local priorities.
"We are disappointed by the negative tone taken by the Liberal Democrat administration in presenting this plan. In his foreword, Coun Roberts describes it as something 'forced on Stockport' and claims the council has been 'powerless to stop it.'
"This defeatist attitude does nothing to tackle the housing crisis facing our borough, with thousands of families on the waiting list, rising homelessness, and too few homes being built in general.
"Stockport Labour encourages all residents to get involved in the Local Plan consultation, as it will play a vital role in shaping the future of our borough for years to come."
Liberal Democrats
Council leader Mark Roberts said: "In July 2024, we published a draft Local Plan that delivered the right homes in the right places, using only brownfield sites. It protected our green belt whilst revitalising previously developed land.
"The Labour government then doubled the number of houses we must deliver and removed protections from a third of our green belt.
"We appreciate the beauty and the health benefits our open spaces bring, not the legal classification from Westminster. Repackaging our green belt so developers can make a profit is wrong and residents will rightly be outraged.
"We vehemently oppose this government's developers charter but they have imposed a legal duty upon us to deliver it, backed up by the recent ministerial direction.
"This centralised approach has reckless targets and changes green belt by the back door. The government must provide the infrastructure we will need to support thousands of new homes they are forcing on us.
"We encourage residents to feedback through the consultation their concern or support for sites and policies, and to call on the government to fund the roads, schools, medical and other infrastructure this mass development will require.
"I will continue to make the argument to government that this approach is wrong."
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