Plans to build thousands more homes across three new neighbourhoods in Stockport town centre have moved closer to becoming reality.

A section of the town centre east is being eyed up for major work, which will bring around 4,000 new properties including affordable homes.

Dubbed an 'essential' part of the town's future, designs for the town centre east area include making new natural spaces, a health hub, and 'walkable' streets to encourage healthy lifestyles.

Goyt riverside would create a 'riverside corridor' to be used as a residential community, with a new park and plans to 'open up access to the water' alongside new homes.

The historic and civic heart community would focus around the Piccadilly area of the town centre, with properties planned to 'complement Stockport's rich heritage' as well as new spaces for business and an urban park.

Stockport's Hillgate neighbourhood would be part of work by creating a 'green connected' area with links to other parts of the town.

A man showing the division between Town Centre East and West (Image - Stockport MDC)

The transformation of the town centre is being led by the council and Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) – an organisation set up to drive regeneration.

A strategic regeneration framework (SRF) for the town centre east project was debated by councillors at the town hall on 4 September.

The site is currently being used by a mix of shops, car parks, and 'unused' plots of land, with 'low levels' of residential homes.

The council said the land in the east of the town centre would 'remain underused and disconnected' unless the work takes place, and could result in economic decline.

Labour councillor Aron Thornley described the proposal as a 'special project' – but stressed the need for more affordable housing in the borough.

"There are people in the borough who are watching this happen and who are undoubtedly thinking that they're missing out," he said.

"I'm really not trying to be negative, but we're really in a time of great frustration for people and it's tense, we all understand that."

New apartments have already been opened in Town Centre East, including these new buildings on Churchgate (Image - Nub News)

Edgeley councillor Asa Caton asked what commitment there would be to social and affordable homes, adding: "Town centre west and east is absolutely a once in a generation opportunity of redevelopment, we're not going to get this opportunity again."

Paul Richards, the council's deputy chief executive and strategic advisor to the MDC board, said the work in Stockport town centre is 'not the only housing solution' in the borough.

"Where there is the ability to do it, we will deliver those affordable homes," he added.

The council's report on the town centre east plans stated: 'The SRF for town centre east will encourage investment from both public and private sector and sets out a series of potential projects and interventions that will create a cohesive and connected town centre that is fit for the future.'

In total, there are plans in the pipeline for 8,000 new homes across Stockport town centre over the next 15 years.

The plans for the east of the town centre are set to be discussed by the council's cabinet team on 16 September.